Norwich City centre-back Jonathan Tomkinson is the real deal, according to temporary manager Steve Evans.

Tomkinson joined Evans' Stevenage side on loan last month, having made three senior appearances for the Canaries during the first half of the season.

The American made his first start for The Boro on Saturday, helping them to a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with mid-table Sutton United in League Two.

The 20-year-old's boss was impressed with his performance, which came as a relief for Stevenage fans after an injury to key defender Terence Vancooten in a 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City.

"The chairman said to me 'what are we getting?', and I said 'it's a (Vancooten replacement)'," the 60-year-old told The Comet of Tomkinson's arrival. 

"A couple of their boys tried to run him today. I tried to sign (Sutton attacker) David Ajiboye last year, he has great pace. He tried to run him and JT (Tomkinson) just ran away from him, so that tells you how quick he is. 

"He's got that Terence Vancooten pace and style and he can go home happy. All the back boys can go home happy."

Tomkinson is Evans' second loan signing of the season from Carrow Road, after prospect Saxon Earley spent the first half of the season on loan in Hertfordshire. Earley impressed at Stevenage before moving onto League One Plymouth Argyle, and the experienced Scottish coach believes his current charge could play at an even higher level than that.

"I know what Norwich think of him," he said. "I know the plans for JT for next season is to be part of their group, Premier League or Championship, so from our point of view, he's a great replacement (for Vancooten)."