ALEX Neil envisions an exciting future at Norwich City for Ben Godfrey if the youngster continues on his upward trajectory.

Godfrey, 19, replaced Alex Tettey in the second half of Saturday's win over Birmingham City to make his Canaries league debut.

The tough-tackling utility man has already started in both the EFL Cup and the Emirates FA Cup this season, clocking five appearances in his first full year with the Club.

Saturday's cameo was just another milestone in a year of rapid progression for Godfrey, and Neil is backing him to make further inroads in the future.

"He's a first class lad off the pitch," Neil told canaries.co.uk. "He's a winner first and foremost; he's aggressive, he's got that desire to go and win things.

"Every instruction you give him, he tries to carry it out the best he can. You can't really ask any more than that.

"We now want him to show that he's got a long-term future at Norwich and that he's going to be a first-team regular.

"He's certainly got the scope and potential to do that, providing he continues to develop and improve. With his attitude, I would back him."

Godfrey's breakthrough year has come in the same campaign that Jacob Murphy has establised himself as a firm member of Neil's first team.

He added: If you look at this season, you've got the two Murphys, you've got Louis Thompson, you've got James Maddison - this has certainly been the best development phase for the young kids.

"That's one thing - they've got to earn the right to get there, I don't just put them in for the sake of it. Those players have earned it."

NEIL - BEN GODFREY HAS ALL THE POTENTIAL

More Community

#NCFC

Principal Partners

Primary Partners