Josh Sargent can lead the charge for Norwich City after Adam Idah was ruled out for the season following knee surgery.

The Republic of Ireland international underwent an operation on Thursday, after a breakthrough Premier League spell under Dean Smith’s guidance, that had brought the 21-year-old the first top flight start and goal of his young career.

City head to Liverpool on Saturday with main man Teemu Pukki needing back up for the relegation run in, and Sargent has a big role to play.

Idah had forged a blossoming double act with Pukki during City’s upturn, and Smith is convinced Sargent can now step in.

The US international ended his own quest for a Premier League goal with a brace in the recent 3-0 away win at Watford.

“He certainly can do that role. He came here as a striker,” said Smith. “He's got several of the same attributes, he can make it stick, he can run in behind. He can score goals as well so they have got similar qualities.

"We were quite aware of him anyway before we came to the club. He's a really fit lad. He's one you can rely on. That's what we've found. He is strong willed, and wants to learn on the training ground.

"I think there was some frustration the fact he hadn't scored, and you could see the confidence that grew within him once he scored that first goal against Watford.

"He played last week against Man City and was okay. But you could tell it was his first game for a while since being ill. He's had a really good week's training this week and he'll be ready for Liverpool.”

Sargent followed Milot Rashica from Werder Bremen last summer, and Smith is confident the Kosovan international will also weigh in with league goals down the stretch.

"He's one l I'm really pleased with, certainly the progress made over recent weeks," he said. "It always takes a while to come back from injury.

"He only has the one FA Cup goal so far, but he has produced a few assists already and it won't be long before he gets on the goalscoring sheet in the Premier League as well."