Borja Sainz 's unique ability to get fans on the edge of their seats has endeared him to Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.

The Spaniard's latest magic moment came as the match winner in Saturday's 1-0 defeat of Coventry, his strike earning City their first Championship win of the season.

That took his tally to two for the campaign as he embraces a key role in Thorup's Canaries rebuild, with the Dane leaning on him to counter the losses of fellow creatives Gabriel Sara and Jonathan Rowe.

Sainz consistently wears his heart on his sleeve, with the goal accompanying a yellow card at the CBS Arena. But Thorup sees that as no bad thing, instead calling on the 23-year-old to lean into his natural passion.

"He's a fan favourite," the City boss said of his charge. "I like him because he's an emotional guy and what you see is what you get. There's nothing being hidden or anything like this.

"He's just all-out whenever we play games. Sometimes it's important for teams and it's very good for teams to have these players.

"When he's out there and the game starts he's going, he's pressing, he's running, he's moving, he's counter-pressing, he's dribbling, he's trying to shoot. He's so involved, and that's exactly what we need."

Thorup has also talked up the importance of strong support from the Carrow Road faithful, praising the noise they made in home draws with Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United.

He sees in Sainz the ability to activate that support, and feels it could be vital to any success Norwich enjoy this term.

"Also he raises a good atmosphere with the crowd," the 35-year-old continued. "He's one of these players who can create that atmosphere in the stadium.

"He can do something on his own once in a while, and he can do brilliant shots and dribbles and stuff like this. I've been pleased with his pressing game, because he's covered a lot of ground.

"I think he's definitely moving in the right direction."