Josh Sargent must become even more crucial to Norwich City’s Championship cause, for head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.

The Dane admitted in the build up to Saturday’s long trip to Cardiff he had spoken to his top gun in a bid to increase the 24-year-old striker's influence on City’s general play.

Sargent’s nine goal contributions in 12 league games so far this season stand comparison with his rivals, but the US international only had 16 touches in total against Middlesbrough.

Compare that with Boro’s two-goal striker Tommy Conway, who had 25, or the prolific Borja Sainz, who had 44.

Sargent has averaged 19 touches a game in the past five league outings, and Thorup knows there is work to do.

“I spoke one of the other days with Josh about that. We need to have him more involved in the games,” said the Norwich head coach. “We need him to show even more for the ball, whether it's into feet or whether it's into space or in behind the back line, but we just need him for our performance in the game.

“We've actually started a little bit this week to see if we can create some patterns that involve him a little bit more, because he's an important player for us. Just look at his involvement in goals, but also his involvement in the pressing game for us where he's so important.

"There's more to come, and it's for us as coaches to open up that door with him, and also for the rest of the players so they can find him in even better positions and even better moments. But it's something we definitely look to work on.

“Everything we do is about creating the structure and the fundamentals, the principles, so everyone has an understanding of, how do we play and what do we do? How is it when we want to score goals, and how is it we want to defend? And when that is in place, we can start to work a little bit more on details with some of the players.”

Sainz and Ante Crnac have served up one assist for the American between them this season, but Thorup insists the headline figures do not tell the full story with Sainz.

“He's done some brilliant assists so far. He could also have been close to having more numbers on the assist list,” he said. “I remember a big one at home, against Watford to begin with, where he squared the ball for Josh at the back post in the opening minutes.

"We have to do everything we can to create a shape for the team where he can show what he can do, and of course, he's a great finisher, so he will look for that opportunity quite often. But I think, actually, he's creating a lot of chances and good moments for us.”