Todd Cantwell was pleased to show his creative edge on a 'special' night for Norwich City, as the Norfolk-born academy product made his league debut.

Eastern Daily Press: Some love between City head coach Daniel Farke and one of his young guns, Todd Cantwell Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesSome love between City head coach Daniel Farke and one of his young guns, Todd Cantwell Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)

The 20-year-old, from Dereham, slipped Teemu Pukki through on goal in the 14th minute of last night's 2-1 win at Reading to continue his emergence as a first-team player.

'It's exactly what I'm there for, I'm going to try and get assists,' the creative midfielder said. 'I'm going to try and bring stuff to the offensive play, but it was a really tough game and you've got to do your bit for the team.

'For long spells of the game we had to defend well and as a team we defended brilliantly, I really did think so.'

Cantwell has been on the books at Norwich since he was 11 years old and made a high-profile debut in January, coming on during the televised FA Cup third round replay at Chelsea, ahead of his first loan spell.

The former England Under-17 international scored twice and set up another three during 10 games as he helped Fortuna Sittard seal promotion to the Dutch top tier, before returning home to Norfolk to push his claim – starting two games in the Carabao Cup this season before his league bow.

'I've been training hard and working hard during pre-season, working as hard as I can to get that opportunity and when you do get your chance you've got to bring some thing to the team,' he continued. 'So I was delighted to see my name in the starting line-up.

Eastern Daily Press: FA Youth Cup action for a 16-year-old Todd Cantwell at Doncaster in December 2014 Picture: Richard Gould/Focus ImagesFA Youth Cup action for a 16-year-old Todd Cantwell at Doncaster in December 2014 Picture: Richard Gould/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

'Playing in the cup is brilliant but playing in the league week in, week out is fantastic and to get a taste of that is top news for me.'

PLAYER WATCH: Cantwell gives a glimpse of creative capabilities during impressive league debut

With fellow academy products Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons starting, with Aston Oxborough and Ben Godfrey also on the bench, playing 90 minutes during a Championship victory was particularly memorable for Cantwell.

'It's special for me but it's special for the fans as well,' he added, speaking to City's website. 'It shows the hard work that's been put in behind the scenes in the academy has really paid off and I want to thanks everybody that's been involved with me because it's surprising to think of all the little details that you've learned along the way.

'Seeing Max and Jamal doing so well has given me every confidence and the manager's obviously shown that's he's going to trust us and we can only repay that really.'