Josh Sargent is set to make his long-awaited Norwich City return this afternoon, but Johannes Hoff Thorup has pleaded for patience as he builds up his sharpness after a long injury lay-off.
City have been without the influential number nine since early November after he went under the knife for groin surgery that has ruled him out of 14 Championship matches.
In that period, Norwich have relied on young Ante Crnac and other improvised options to lead the line, but Sargent's return coincides with a run of form that has seen Thorup's side win three of their last four matches as they pause for cup action.
Sargent is unlikely to start for the Canaries as they welcome Brighton to Carrow Road this afternoon, and City's boss has called for patience as the 24-year-old finds his feet after a long time sidelined.
"We have been careful. The job that has been done with him has been really good and effective but it's not like we put him out there for one day and bring him into the team. It's been building up and following a very clear plan.
"Everything has gone well. We're not doing anything stupid here to put him on tomorrow. Then we would definitely not do it," Thorup said.
"The expectation is always a little bit difficult for a player to just come in again after eight weeks and be able to perform on the highest level. That will probably take some time, but just knowing him as a person and his physical level, I think we can expect quite a performance already from the start.
"Of course, the last bit of it - the sharpness and the last details, that will take some games."
Sargent's imminent return has boosted the mood of City's fanbase, especially in Borja Sainz's absence, and Thorup explained how it bolsters his attacking options.
"It's good. It is exactly how we want it to be. There's competition in the group and we have good players. We have different kinds of players who can cover that nine and the wing position in different ways.
"For everyone, it's very good news."
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