Jose Cordoba is now fit and firing and ready to lead the Norwich City charge.

Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup admitted it need lengthy dialogue with his Panamanian international summer signing to explain why he was holding him back in the opening Championship phase, after pre-season fitness issues.

But Thorup opted to unleash the centre back for an assured full league debut in the 4-1 Championship win over Watford.

“We had to sit down and talk with him, especially after the start, where we could see that he picked up a couple of smaller injuries, and we had to make a clear plan for him that it will take a little bit longer,” said the City boss. “We went with as low risk as possible to build him and make him ready for the season.

"It took some conversations, but he understood that. And throughout the last 10 to 14 days, I think that he’s been feeling ready, and Watford was the day to enter the pitch.

“He is (very comfortable on the ball) and that's a big part of how we play. We need players that are comfortable on the ball, in the back line as well, and are not being a little bit impatient or not getting stressed by being a little bit under pressure.

"Some room for improvement in some areas. But I think overall, I'm delighted with the performance.”

Cordoba’s natural athleticism also allowed Norwich to get on the front foot and pin Watford back.

“It gives us the opportunity to actually push the line of the defenders even higher when we attack, which is, I think, for us, key to make us an even bigger threat when we attack,” said Thorup. “There was a question for us to see if we can push Watford back even more than we had done so far here at home.

"And for that to be to be possible you need central defenders that can cope with a striker running in behind, and cope with some of these situations where you have to run and protect the ball, and dealing with a duel and a striker at the same time. And he's really good at that.”