The focus on developing young players is clear to see behind the scenes at Norwich City.

That's according to under-21s boss Alan Neilson, who's already seen a number of his charges graduate to first-team training and matches since head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup took over in May.

Thorup's appointment was based partly on sporting director Ben Knapper's drive to improve academy pathways, and Neilson says the difference is notable at Colney.

"I think you can see it," he told the Pink Un. "You look at, say, Kellen (Fisher). He's played a lot, and the average age of the team has gone down.

"It gives that opportunity to the young players, but they've got to earn it and work hard. It's not going to be given to them on a plate. They've got to earn a place in the first-team squad, then they've got to get into the team, and then they've got to stay in the team as well.

"But there's a pathway if you show dedication on the football side, the fitness side, the strength side, everything you work on. A lot of the academy players at Norwich have gone on to have great careers and great moves."

Neilson believes the talent in the City youth ranks will aid that mission for a lower age profile, and highlighted three recent graduates from his group.

"There's a lot of talent in the club," he continued. "You've got Elliot (Myles), you've got Gabe (Forsyth) with the first team, you've got Brad Hills. They've all come through the academy, and they're still under 21. They're still eligible to play for the under-21s.

"But it's all about keeping working. To play with the first team Johannes says you've got to have the right mentality, you've got to have the right attitude. It's just working all the time to improve every single day."