Chris Hughton believes Robert Snodgrass could prove to be Norwich City's not so secret Premier League weapon.

The City chief set up his side at Hull in midweek to trial Snodgrass in a central attacking midfield role deployed off lone frontman Grant Holt at the KC stadium. The Scotland international was again a creative influence during the Canaries' best spells following his impressive debut at MK Dons prior to the weekend, and Hughton is convinced he can inflict plenty of damage on Premier League defences.

'We played Robert in a position he has played before and he did it very well,' said Hughton. 'Predominantly in his career he would have played more games on the right-hand side of midfield, but it was something I wanted to have a look at and a new shape. I was delighted. I know he can play that role because he is a good player and he has played there before – he is a player that likes to get on the ball but he will work for the team as well in that position. Certainly he is a player that can play there for us.'

Snodgrass and Michael Turner were Hughton's latest summer acquisitions and the City boss has confirmed the homework continues on attracting potential further recruits in the closing weeks of the transfer window.

'The process of strengthening the team, strengthening the squad is an on going process,' he said. 'We have right up until the end of the month and we will endeavour to strengthen where we can. I have continually said it but it has to be right for this football club and the right players.

'You are always conscious of things like injury and you need strength in depth. Certainly in the forward areas we have got a lot of strikers. Possibly there are one or two other areas where if we had an injury we might be struggling. If we can do something, great, if not we have a group of lads at this football club who have fared very well.'

City's pre-season injury concerns appear to be receding ahead of tomorrow's friendly finale against Borussia Monchengladbach at Carrow Road. Steven Whittaker will definitely miss the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign with ankle ligament damage, but Jacob Butterfield and David Fox have stepped up their return to full training. Elliott Ward and Wes Hoolahan rested minor knocks for the trip to Humberside, although Hughton is hopeful they will return to training prior to the Germans' visit.

'Wes got a little knock in training on Monday but it is minimal so we decided not to risk him. The same with Wardy as well,' he said. 'It is always a difficult one for a manager because you are more concerned about players picking up injuries in pre-season, but by the same token you are looking to start the season well with a full compliment of players. We want as many as we can up and running by those first few weeks.

'Steven Whittaker is still going to be a few weeks, but that we knew fairly soon after he did the injury. The good news with Jacob Butterfield, who is another we took with an injury and knew he was perhaps four or five weeks behind, is that he has now trained with the group. We have got David Fox back training now, who is also a little bit behind. It's normal to pick up a few injuries; you just hope not for a long period of time.'