"Would thrive in our team” – Norwich City backed to sign 22-year-old Premier League forward this summer | OneFootball

Norwich City fan pundit Zeke Downes would welcome Lewis Dobbin back to Carrow Road after an impressive first spell.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Norwich City will be preparing for a fourth straight season in the Championship after a 13th-placed finish.

The Canaries collected a total of 57 points from a very inconsistent campaign under the eye of Johannes Hoff Thorup, before the Dane was sacked and replaced by interim coach Jack Wilshere for the conclusion of the season.

It was a particularly disappointing term for Norwich given their immense quality in attack, with Borja Sainz finishing as the joint second-highest goalscorer in the division with 18 strikes, while Josh Sargent finished in third by netting 15 times.

Norwich are set to be a lot weaker in the attacking areas heading into next season, with both Sainz and Sargent persistently being linked with moves away from East Anglia, with concern bound to be etched on the faces of the Norwich faithful of where they will end up finishing this time next year.

Early summer transfer window plans are in place though, with the Canaries already in discussions to take back Lewis Dobbin for another loan spell, after his impressive opening spell was cut short by injury.

Norwich City backed to secure second Lewis Dobbin loan move

The Aston Villa man seemed to be putting behind a woeful first half of the season at West Brom with regular game-time, holding the fort while Sainz was suspended and then being moved out to the right upon the Spaniard’s return to make up an attacking trio.

And after making a positive first impression, Norwich are keen to see him extend his run in the side under a new regime, as they try and put to an end their top-flight exodus.

Speaking to Football League World, Norwich City fan pundit Zeke Downes believes Norwich are making the right decision by attempting to bring Lewis Dobbin back to the club, with the 22-year-old set to play a more starring role in the event of Borja Sainz’s departure.

Downes said: “I would be happy to extend Dobbin’s loan for another season.

"Before he was injured, he was looking like he was just getting started and looked really promising. He didn't offer too much in terms of goals and assists, but he was really getting involved in the play, and he looked like the sort of player that would thrive in our team, and I'm not surprised that they want to extend that.

“With Sainz leaving or probably leaving, he's a really good replacement and if he's only on loan then that's pretty much risk-free as you don’t want to spend the money that it would cost, because you don't know whether he's really going to be worth that, but I think it is a good move for him and for us, and I think that is going to happen, and it is the right deal as well.

“That would be two signings that have already had the experience in our team, and they know the squad, so it’s a good place to start before next season.”

Norwich City will be an attacking force if Lewis Dobbin can fulfil his potential

While it will be a major blow to lose a player of Borja Sainz’s quality on the flank, Lewis Dobbin proved that he could replace the absence and look a dangerous threat off the left.

Playing with far more confidence and freedom compared to his playing days at The Hawthorns, Dobbin proved himself to be a direct and forward-thinking asset, using his close ball control and unpredictability to strike fear into opposition defenders.

While the goals and assists didn’t flow as much as he would have liked, his performances didn’t go unnoticed, with the winger becoming an integral part of the team, and with further game time, the attacking contributions are sure to pick up the pace.

On a loan deal, there doesn’t appear to be much of a gamble, and Norwich will need a direct force from out wide to help ease the pain of losing Sainz.