Norwich City have turned Ivo Pinto into a fighting machine.

The Portuguese full-back has emerged as a key figure under Alex Neil after what he admits was a bumpy introduction to English football following his move from Dinamo Zagreb 12 months ago.

Pinto's value to the cause was underlined by his return from a calf injury in last weekend's 5-0 Championship romp against Brentford.

'I think I am a better player now than when I first arrived in England,' he said. 'I faced some tough times when I first came here from the Croatian Championship. It took a while to get used to this type of football, the intensity, the physicality. I kept working and now I am getting the benefit of that. In Croatia I played in a dominant team. Dinamo Zagreb won 10 league titles in a row. It was too easy for Zagreb players.

'When I first came here Norwich were fighting to stay in the Premier League and we were playing better teams. We played against some of the best teams in the world so I had to jump from one level to another. I really worked hard, the manager helped me a lot. I spoke with him and at times he took me out of the team, in some moments, because I wasn't really adapted to this type of football and now I am.'

The 26-year-old is now a terrace idol.

'Every game I want to give them more and if I can I will try to play better,' he said. 'It means a lot to have the backing of the fans. Of course I am happy to be back so I can try to help the team. If the team is winning of course you want to get back but it is not quite so big a problem as when the team is not winning. It is hard to be in the stand and watching.

'I really wanted to go again to the first XI and once I knew I was playing a little part of me thought, 'maybe I might not be ready.' I wasn't sure because after six or seven weeks you never know because training is one thing but to play is another. I think I was prepared. I made a lot of sprints. I had cramps and it was hard but I did my job.'