Norwich City's on-loan midfielder Louis Thompson admits he has not hit the heights back at his old club Swindon, but delivered some payback with a stoppage time winner to sink League One promotion hopefuls Walsall 2-1 on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old returned to the County Ground on a short term loan deal until December 18 after failing to force his way into Alex Neil's first team plans at his parent club.

Thompson's West Country stint has been hit by a string of niggling injuries but the Welsh Under-21 international sealed a priceless league win for the struggling Robins.

'I'll run myself into the ground. I've never, ever sacked off a football match since the day I've stepped in there and I give it my all,' he said. 'Granted, there have been times where I haven't played well at all, but I'll always give 110pc and what my body can give.

'My groin wasn't feeling great before the goal and it certainly wasn't feeling much better after my knee slide, but it was a much-needed three points. It was just a bit tight and with the amount of injuries we've had this year, I didn't want to risk it. Anton Rodgers was the perfect replacement for me, he goes in there and does the same job that I was doing, so there was no need for me to carry on. I was in slight discomfort and I wanted to keep myself right for Saturday.'

Thompson moved to Norwich on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2014 before returning to Swindon to play a key role in their march to last season's play-off final.

The Robins' youth product missed the 5-1 hammering at Fleetwood last weekend but insisted beating the high-flying Saddlers was the perfect response to those questioning the desire and the commitment of Martin Ling's squad.

'It was very testing and Walsall are a very good side,' he said. 'They hadn't lost on the road before they came to us and that just shows the character of these boys, especially after a thumping last week. We've bounced back and shown a bit of heart, I think that's what the fans wanted.

'I knew the boys had it – it was just about portraying it out on the pitch.

'We're delighted. We strive for excellence, we weren't there (against Walsall) but it is a step in the right direction and those three points are extremely important.'

• Thompson's fellow Norwich loanee Cameron Norman has extended his spell at National League Woking FC until January 2. Norman has so far made six appearances since joining the Cards.