Josh Murphy is under no illusions he has to keep impressing Alex Neil to stand any chance of starring in Norwich City's Championship promotion surge.

Murphy's hat-trick at Barnet eased the Canaries' under-23 set-up into the next phase of the EFL Trophy but his twin, Jacob, has had the shirt for City's early league tussles.

Josh was an ever-present in the second tier for MK Dons last season, winning the players' player-of-the-year award, but the 21-year-old realises he needs to step up another level.

'I loved every minute at MK, they gave me a lot, the boys were great and the management were awesome as well,' he said. 'It really gave me the experience I needed to come back into this Norwich first team and kick on – I think it's helped me. It's hard to compare this season to last; every season changes. Last year was really difficult and this year is even more so. It was different at a struggling team, but now I'm at a team that's fighting for promotion. We started off the season great with that Blackburn win. I think we all thought it was going to be a walk in the park but after that we had a bit of a reality check and I think that's what we needed more than anything.'

Murphy, along with Cameron Jerome and John Ruddy helped launch Aviva's Community Fund over the international break.

'Grassroots football is the start of everyone's chapter, everyone's journey,' he said. 'For people to be involved in grassroots, involved in your local team, playing with your friends, that's where your passion and love for the game begins. From then, with all the hard work and training, that's where you kick on into academies and hopefully your career takes off. I'm from Wembley. I started out at my local team, Pitshanger, and I'm still in touch with some of them.'

• Norwich City are supporting the Aviva Community Fund, a nationwide initiative which offers funding of up to £25,000 to grassroots sports clubs and other community organisations close to your heart. Enter at aviva.co.uk/community-fund