Uriah Djedje is using the pre-season experience of first-team minutes at Norwich City as motivation to fuel his development. 

The young midfielder has trained consistently with Johannes Hoff Thorup's first-team squad alongside those friendly opportunities in the early weeks of their Championship preparations.

Djedje is hoping to consolidate himself with Alan Neilson's under-21 side having graduated through the under-18s, and made a key contribution in their opening Premier League International Cup victory over Sparta Prague on Tuesday by winning a turnover and slotting Errol Mundle-Smith through to convert a late winner. 

The experiences handed to the 18-year-old have given him the taste for more as he reflects positively on his spell under Thorup over the summer. 

"I had pre-season with the first team, which was a great experience with the new manager and his new philosophy. It fits quite well with my play style," Djedje told the Pink Un.

"I've got to impress, and I don't deserve to just walk into that first-team environment. I've still got a lot to do. I speak for all the young lads when I say it's not going to be easy. I'm not going to just walk through the door.

"It was an enjoyable experience in pre-season, especially going to Belgium. I learnt a lot in my first game with them at Northampton and that was only one game.

"It's enjoyable to be in that environment. The first-team players are really helpful and make you comfortable in that environment even though it's uncomfortable." 

Djedje was handed first-team minutes for City during pre-season.Djedje was handed first-team minutes for City during pre-season. (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd) Djedje has his own personal ambitions that are fuelling his performances at City, including the opportunity to earn a new contract at Carrow Road, having entered the final 12 months of his deal. 

"My next goal is to have a solid season with the 21s. I'm in the last year of my contract, so hopefully, I can impress enough to extend it," Djedje said. "Hopefully, that works out. I will keep working hard to improve daily on and off the pitch.

"I hope my chance will come to extend my contract, break into this first team and if not, then another first team."