Sean Raggett is on a fairytale rise up the football ladder but Daniel Farke warns the last step will be the toughest.

The powerhouse central defender was playing part-time at Dover in 2016 but his eye-catching displays at Lincoln City earned him a Carrow Road move.

Farke opted not to send the 24-year-old back out on loan last month, in favour of continuing his education with the Canaries, as he tries to dislodge the likes of Grant Hanley, Timm Klose and Christoph Zimmermann.

'It was a difficult decision. There is a gap between his former level and the Championship,' said Farke.

'The question is, 'How we close that?' We got the feeling he is not on the edge of the 18 for the matchday squad but he has to use this time now to show he can operate on this level and be prepared for next season.

' want him close to the group so he can have this chance.

'There are many options for the centre back positions.

'We gave away Marcel Franke and Russell Martin, who can also play there, on loan because we feel Sean should be one of the four options.

'He can be an important player in the next weeks.

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'I am pleased with his training because the hardest thing when you move up the level is to adapt to the speed and the intensity, not so much the tactical things.

'It didn't make sense to send him out to League One (last month).

'We want him to show he can perform on this level.

'This position is important for the planning of the squad for next season. For his mentality and his attitude he deserves this chance. Right now, it is up to him whether he goes through the door or not.'

Farke is glad the madness of the transfer window is behind him and his settled squad.

'We can calm down now,' he said. 'It is not easy when the group loses players who are their friends and good lads in the dressing room. People like Russell and Cameron (Jerome) and Steven (Naismith).

'Then new lads come in and they have to adapt to them. That takes time to build a relationship.

'I have a good feeling, just on a personal level, the atmosphere in recent days is even better, and it was good before.

'Our initial plan was to bring our loan players back here in February but after this busy window we will give the group two or three weeks to stick together.'

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