Adam Idah has been told to step up next season and prove that he is the real deal.
The Republic of Ireland international will look to put a crippling knee injury behind him and propel Norwich City back into the Premier League.
He was powerless to prevent the Canaries’ relegation from the top flight after missing the last four months of the season just gone.
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But with the Championship fixtures released later this morning, the Corkman has renewed focus and wants to hit the ground running.
And ex-Celtic, Blackburn Rovers and Norwich striker Chris Sutton says it is time that Idah starts to deliver.
“For the last few seasons, Adam has been seen as a player at Norwich with massive potential. At 21, now is the time to realise it,” he said.
Idah’s season ground to a sudden halt in February after shipping a knee injury in a Premier League draw against Crystal Palace.
He had an arthroscopy on his knee and ended up requiring repair work to his meniscus that ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
And while it was a considerable blow to Norwich’s survival prospects, it was also a major setback for Ireland boss Stephen Kenny.
Idah has forced his way into the national team, making 13 appearances but is yet to score at senior level.
Sitting out the Nations League marathon this month, he saw Michael Obafemi endear himself to Ireland fans while Troy Parrott impressed after a subpar game in Armenia.
Idah was a prolific scorer for the Boys in Green at underage level, smashing 34 goals in his 61 underage appearances from Under-15s to Under-21s.
The former College Corinthians youngster has yet to replicate that prolific streak in the senior game, but Ireland boss Kenny insists he is capable of it.
Idah announced his arrival at club level by smashing an FA Cup hat-trick when Norwich stuffed Preston 4-2 in January 2020.
He made 12 Premier League appearances over the rest of that season, without scoring, before bagging three goals in 17 Championship appearances the following campaign.
In the season just finished, Idah then made 21 appearances for the Canaries, scoring just once in a 2-1 win at home to Everton, before injury stopped him in his tracks.
Sutton knew where the goal was and is Norwich’s all-time record Premier League goalscorer.
And he insists Idah must put his injury nightmare behind him and step out of the shadows.
Writing in his weekly ‘Pink Un ' column, Sutton said: “He burst on the scene with that hat-trick against Preston and I predicted that he wouldn't look back.
“But setbacks and injuries have halted his progress at the club.
“In the Championship, you would hope that the opportunity to play regularly and in a senior role will come for him. Then it is down to him to snatch it with both hands.”
Sutton continued: “There’s only so long that you can be bracketed as someone with potential, eventually, you have to come to the fore and prove that you can realise it.
“This cannot be another season where he’s on the cusp of the team and playing second fiddle. He has to make his mark.
“Idah isn't a new name, but he could quite plausibly provide the X Factor that Norwich need next season. He needs to do it for himself, more than anything.
“He’s at an age where he will be approaching his peak physical condition and will have a better understanding of his own game.
“But eventually it needs to click for him. Those tough experiences will have been something that he has learned from.”
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