Alex Neil is keen to tie down Harry Toffolo to a new deal at Norwich City as he strives to build for the long term in the Premier League.

Jonny Howson was the latest member of Neil's first team squad to pledge his future to the Canaries when he signed a new four-year deal last week to stay at Carrow Road until 2019.

Toffolo is in the final year of his current Norwich contract, but has forced his way into Neil's senior set-up during pre-season after an impressive stint at Swindon in League One.

Neil is convinced the 19-year-old has what it takes to make the step up to the Premier League in Norwich colours.

'Negotiations have been on-going for a few weeks with Harry so we want to try and get something sorted,' said Neil. 'I think it would be a difficult task for him to go straight from League One to the Premier League.

'That is a huge gulf but he has acquitted himself very well in pre-season and he has a great attitude. I think the improvement he has made over the last year, and that has come from the lad himself, has been great so if he continues in that vein he could certainly compete at this level.

'Jonny's deal was well-merited and well-deserved. I thought he was a fundamental part of our success last year and as far as I am concerned he has Premier League quality and I hope he is going to show that this season. Since I have been here we've done, I think, four of the squad to get them on longer deals. It is basically on what they have done within the games under me, and they have deserved it and hopefully they keep producing the goods.'

Neil himself signed a new improved contract in the summer after guiding Norwich to Championship play-off success.

The Scot was a surprise appointment when he joined from Hamilton in January but Neil is in no doubt that was the right place to learn his trade.

'It was a great grounding to get into the management and coaching side and dealing with players and situations,' he said. 'The pathway to come to Norwich was perfect. It is a family-based club and that progression for me is perfect. So far I have done well. Obviously we're now at a higher level, but I believe in what we are trying to do and if that is the case then any nerves should be limited.

'My brief is to get the team ready, and I think I have shown more than enough to suggest that I am a competent manager and I can get my team prepared and motivated and competing to win games. I think the fans and the board and everyone connected with Norwich is wise enough and cute enough to realise we are not going to be winning nine out of 10 games every mini period, or we would be winning the league, and they are in tune with where we are. We still have big ambitions and what we want to achieve as a club.'