Steven Whittaker has had to wait longer than most to prove his worth to Chris Hughton, but the initial signs appear hugely encouraging.

The Scot certainly arrived with a pedigree to suggest he could operate effectively in the Premier League. Plenty of success with Rangers before the Ibrox club's implosion and a regular member of his country's international set-up underlined Hughton's first summer signing could prove to be an excellent piece of business. An ankle ligament injury, at of all places Celtic Park, delayed his senior Norwich bow.

Sent into the line of fire for his debut against Gareth Bale and Tottenham in the midweek Capital One Cup win, Whittaker exuded calm assurance. More of the same was served up against Stoke, who pounded away in the second period.

Not only did Whittaker fill in for Russell Martin at right-back, he then switched to the opposite flank when Javier Garrido departed. In an ideal world, Hughton may wish to have given Whittaker a breather, but a double injury blow to his backline forced the Scot to play two 90 minute outings in four days after months out with ankle ligament surgery.

That tells you as much about Whittaker's character as it does his undoubted ability. The limited effectiveness of Michael Kightly tells you another. Whittaker already looks a valuable addition.