Nathan Redmond has revealed spurning Stoke's advances to stay at Norwich City was one of the best decisions he has made, ahead of the Potters' Premier League trip to Carrow Road on Saturday.

Redmond opted to help City bounce back from relegation at the first attempt 12 months ago despite firm interest from Mark Hughes' club.

Alex Neil reiterated this week the 21-year-old is at the perfect club to blossom in the Premier League, but Redmond is taking nothing for granted.

'He has said that to me a few times,' said the midfielder, who has scored twice already this season. 'He has never once discouraged the fact I could go on to a bigger club and he has also told me I could go the other way if I don't work hard.

'Right now, the aim is to stay in the Premier League and improve as a player and he is giving me those opportunities.

'It came down to a lot of things why I didn't leave. There are moves that will be right and moves that are not right for players. At the time I felt I still had a lot of learning to do and dropping down to the Championship was probably one of the best things I have done because it enabled me to perfect my craft, so to speak. I had a good season and finished it off strongly; if you look at my stats I had 13 assists and six goals and I think I learned a lot more last season than in any other season.

'I was disappointed not to start the first game this season (against Crystal Palace) but the gaffer let me know I had only done two weeks pre-season so it was about managing me in that respect and not

blowing up in these early weeks.'