Borja Sainz is ready to put the frighteners on more Championship rivals after an eye-catching full league debut for Norwich City.

The 22-year-old Spanish wide player struck a stunning goal and served up an assist for Ashley Barnes in the midweek 3-1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Sainz had to bide his time due to an ankle injury suffered in pre-season, and David Wagner’s patient strategy to get him ready for the rigours of the English game, after his summer move from Turkey.

“Top performance, one goal, one assist, defensively as well, apart from one situation, he was very focused and worked hard,” said the German. “And this is the biggest space he had to improve, and where he still has to learn defensively; how we like to defend, how you have to defend in England, and he made big steps.

“That he can create opportunities, score goals, and wonderful assists as well, we've seen this in training. It was a top goal, exactly what we wanted, vertical pass in the pocket, back foot turn and then be brave and take your shot off.

“It was a deserved win, with a solid performance, defensively, even the last 10,15 minutes we always looked solid how we defended our box. Apart from the set pieces I felt very solid defensively and offensively. We created opportunities, we scored three goals, good goals.”

City fans want Sainz to retain his place for the derby trip to Ipswich, but Wagner insisted his policy will pay off in the long term.

“I think we have done so far everything like we planned, in terms of deciding when he's ready, when is the right moment,” he said. “It was important to build him up properly, because nobody should underestimate he was out for two and a half, three months with a serious ankle injury.

"First of all, you have to build them up fitness-wise, then you have to build them up tactically and then you have to make sure that, if possible, you give him his start at the right moment. This game was his moment.

“We know that there are more than just points at stake in this (Ipswich) game, and we will give our all, with a fantastic travelling support behind us. I know it means a lot to the fans of our club. It is our job to go there and provide a performance to make our fans proud.”