Alex Tettey owes Norwich City a debt of gratitude, according to Canaries' boss Chris Hughton.

The Norwegian midfield powerhouse was a stand-out performer in the club's 1-1 midweek draw at Southampton which extended City's unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches ahead of Sunderland's televised visit on Sunday.

Tettey has been a revelation in a screening role alongside Bradley Johnson since his summer move from Rennes, but Hughton believes Norwich City have been just as good for the 26-year-old. He said: 'He is absolutely enjoying his time and he is very grateful for us bringing him into the Premier League. He just loves his football. I think the fact that he has been a regular alongside Brad Johnson in that central midfield has helped and he is very, very enthusiastic about the game.

'He is delighted to be playing in the Premier League and even more than that, delighted to be playing at Norwich City.

'You have to remember the other side to the game, particularly when you are a player who comes here from abroad, and how difficult it can be to adapt. Everybody knows about the financial side of it and the money they can earn and at this level the spotlight is on them even more, but the way he plays typifies everything that is good about football and being a footballer.'

Hughton admitted Tettey's eye-catching close season signing is a testament to City's scouting network under the guidance of Ewan Chester.

He said: 'He was a player I was aware of and our chief scout, Ewan Chester, is excellent at what he does, but as with all players you are not so sure of their availability. He is one who we were made aware of at the time and that there might be a possibility.

'After a period of time, watching as many videos as you can, it really comes down to a decision you have to make.

'He is one who took a little while to settle in when he joined us and he missed a period of time and went away on international duty but he has been a big player for us.'

City's recent upturn in fortunes is also a tribute to Hughton's managerial skills at the elite end of the game after his previous Premier League stint at Newcastle turned sour.

He said: 'Anything that's in the past is very much in the past. I only have one focus now. I've been given the opportunity to manage at Norwich and it was an opportunity I was delighted to get. We've got a really good group of players and it's just about teamwork. It's a wonderful club that we hope we can keep going in the right direction.

'It's a great relief winning games and getting points. More than any of that, when you work with a group of players, week in, week out, it's incredibly pleasing and satisfying for them because we've got good players.

'It's satisfying for them to be plying their trade in this division and mixing it with the best teams, and any good run that we have is a testament to them.'