Norwich City’s first signing of the summer Ashley Barnes is already a big fan of fellow frontman Josh Sargent.

Experienced striker Barnes arrived at Carrow Road this summer as a Championship title winner with Burnley.

The 33-year-old is bang up for a new career challenge, and revealed at Monday’s fan forum it had taken one training session to see Sargent’s quality.

Barnes is prepared to help both the US international and the club’s other frontline forward option, Adam Idah, kick on to step into the striking void left by Teemu Pukki’s departure.

“I want to give them as much help as possible and I think them playing with me, as a person, I'm there to help them,” said Barnes. “To speak about Josh, I mean what a great talent. I've been training with him for one day and I think he's exceptional.

"I'm so excited to link up with him and that is just our movement already from doing a little bit of possession work. I'm so excited to see what this season can hold.

“At this stage it is obviously very early because not all the lads are back in. We have the internationals to return yet and I think the boss said from Monday it will be the real nitty gritty and lots of meetings so we understand the way that we need to play and want to play.

"At this stage is largely about the fitness before the proper tactical and technical work.”

City head coach David Wagner targeted Barnes as his first summer signing after highlighting the mentality issue that held back the squad he inherited from Dean Smith.

“That was very much clear from the conversations I had with David and Stuart (Webber) and one of the reasons you have seen the likes of me and Shane (Duffy) and Jack Stacey come to the club,” he said.

“We’ve all been in the Premier League for a number of years as well. That brings a level of know how and the knowledge of obviously what it take in this league, and the resilience you need to show.

“There's 23 other teams striving for the same, some more so than others, but everyone obviously wants to get out of this league. This the hardest league, or probably one of the hardest leagues in the world to get out of.

"That means it is another challenge for me and that is what I am all about. I want another trophy. Come the end of the season I want to be lifting one.”