Bali Mumba is not ready for Norwich City’s Championship promotion bid. 

The on-loan youngster is catching the eye at League One leaders Plymouth, and notched his fourth goal in 21 appearances in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Burton. 

Mumba was also named the EFL young player of the month in September after a string of impressive displays. 

City boss Dean Smith indicated recently the final decision on whether to recall the 21-year-old in January is likely to be made during the current World Cup break. 

Sam Byram, Sam McCallum and Dimi Giannoulis have all been sidelined at various stages this season with injuries, leaving Smith light on full back options. 

But Pilgrims’ counterpart, Steven Schumacher, is sounding a note of caution on what is right for Mumba's immediate future. 

“He’s a great lad,” he said. “He comes in every day with a smile on his face, he’s a pleasure to coach, he’s not the finished article yet, he’s got a lot of work to do for him to go and play at the next level. 

“But what he does give you is energy and enthusiasm, and when he gets on the pitch, he’s exciting to watch. 

“Our fans have certainly taken to him, he’s produced some lovely goals for us that’ve been important, and he’s got a few assists as well. 

“He’s really enjoying his loan spell from Norwich and we’re thankful to have him, as well as the other loan players that we’ve got. 

“They’re all doing well; they’re all learning and getting good experience from their loan clubs. 

“We’re really pleased to have them.” 

Sporting director Stuart Webber and assistant sporting director Neil Adams have both made personal trips to watch Mumba in recent weeks. 

The former Sunderland youngster is not back in league action for Plymouth until Port Vale’s visit on December 2, with the FA Cup second round taking centre stage this weekend. 

City’s squad have flown out to Tampa for a spell of warm weather training after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough left them nine points behind pacesetters Burnley. 

Smith, Webber and Adams have a number of decisions to make on their loan exports and senior players approaching the final six months of current Carrow Road deals. 

But the City chief knows the value of Mumba playing regular senior football. 

"(The loan) is what he needed,” he said. “We felt it was going to be hard for him to get the games here, although with the injuries that we had, he probably would have got games. Hindsight's wonderful when you've got it. 

"But he's gone to a team that are playing well at the top of the league, and he's been a big part of that. Really pleased with how he's progressing."