Kieran Dowell needs to lick his wounds and then get back fit to fire Norwich City’s Championship promotion charge after ankle surgery.

The eye-catching summer signing from Everton is out for months and his head coach, Daniel Farke, does not expect him back in 2020.

Farke had big plans for the 22-year-old, who started both the opening two Championship games, but Dowell now faces a spell on the sidelines until early new year.

“We are all disappointed and feel sorry for him. It is a big blow personally,” said Farke. “For us, let’s be honest he was one of our key summer signings and no coincidence he was involved through all of pre-season and in the first league games.

“Not only that but involved in a pretty crucial role. You have to handle this during a season.

“The good thing is surgery went well and I have told him he has two or three days where I will allow him to be disappointed. But after that he has to make sure he comes back stronger than before.

“For a new lad it is difficult. He was on his way to settling in, now he is out for 12 to 14 weeks and we don’t expect him to be ready to play again until January.

“He won’t be able to do something magic right away, we know this, but if he concentrates on a proper rehab then he will come back at a crucial time, when the games come thick and fast, and we will need him because he has so much quality.”