Manager previews Sunday's big match
The Canaries have been in fine form of late, securing back-to-back away draws with Everton and Southampton before heading into the Sunderland game with their sights firmly fixed on three points.
Martin OâNeillâs Black Cats will undoubtedly provide a tough test for City, but Hughton is confident that his side know what is required to continue their good run.
He told Canaries Player: âThe players deserve everything that they have had from recent games.Â
âThey wouldn't have been able to get these results without putting the work in.Â
âThe last two games have been away from home and weâve gone a goal behind and got ourselves back into the game, which means weâve had the ability to finish strong in games, that's always pleasing.Â
âWe know what we have to put in to get results in this division, and weâve shown that in abundance.Â
âAs long as youâre accumulating points, which we are, then we're doing well.â
Last time out summer signing Mark Bunn stepped in for John Ruddy, who has unfortunately been side-lined with a thigh injury, but the Manager was delighted with the display of Bunn in Ruddyâs absence.
He added: âThis is the reason why we brought Mark Bunn in â he is a âkeeper of experience and his involvement so far has been very good, and itâs a good opportunity for him.
âAt this moment weâre still looking at approximately a three month period of absence for John Ruddy.Â
âIt is a severe thigh strain, but weâre still assessing it and weâll know after the weekend the course of action â it will need a small operation or just a period of rest and recuperation.
âItâs disappointing, but in Mark Bunn weâve got somebody that has come in and done very well. Injuries are part and parcel of the game.â
Sundayâs match at Carrow Road will certainly provide a stern test for the Canaries, who beat Sunderland 2-1 in the corresponding fixture last seoasn, only to lose 3-0 at the Stadium of Light.
âI think Sunderland probably havenât had the start that they would have liked,â said Hughton.
âThey seem a very tight unit. They conceded at home to West Brom the game before last, but theyâre not a side that looks like conceding a lot of goals.Â
âPerhaps similarly to ourselves in the early part of the season theyâve found it difficult to get the amount of goals that theyâd want.Â
âItâs about trying to find the balances, but theyâve got a lot of good footballers, and certainly with Steven Fletcher up front theyâve got someone thatâs very exciting and very clinical, and I have no doubt with Martin at the helm they will start picking up the points that they want.â
To watch the full interview on Canaries Player, click here.