Lee Clark has tipped Jacob Murphy to become a regular in Norwich City's first team – just weeks after bringing the youngster's loan spell at Blackpool to an ignominious end.

Murphy, below, was playing a starring role on loan at the Championship strugglers, but his joy came to an abrupt end in late December when a photograph mocking their plight circulated on social media.

Clark was left with no option but to send the winger home – with a heavy heart.

'He was brilliant for us, a fantastic young player and fantastic to have about the place,' said Clark. 'He had been sensational for us, we loved having him around. He was a good boy and he made an error of judgment and I was sad to see him go but I was left with no other option. I didn't want to do it.'

However, Clark – who brings Blackpool to Carrow Road tomorrow – believes Murphy is in the right place and has the requisite skills to carve out a good career.

'I have got no doubt he has a big career ahead of him, no doubt at all, and I am certain he is going to follow his brother into the first team at Norwich,' said the former Canaries assistant manager.

'He is at a fantastic club with great people behind the scenes and supporters who turn out in huge numbers at home and away. He's at the perfect place for his career right now – in an ideal world I would have loved him to have been with us still, but it was not be, which is a shame.'