Sam McCallum's bid to close the left back gap at Norwich City

The most minutes he has played in the opening 11 matches before City's trip to Coventry was a 13 minute cameo at Rotherham. Largely, Przemyslaw Placheta has been the preferred option at left back in Dimi Giannoulis' absence. 

David Wagner's willingness for a settled side, coupled with Placheta's conversion, has severely limited McCallum's game time. 

The left back has had little choice but to keep his head down and await his opportunity. Given Giannoulis' level of performance, it felt unlikely to appear anytime soon. 

That is why it was such a surprise to witness his inclusion when the team news dropped an hour before kick-off in the Midlands. Wagner opted to include McCallum in the hope it would inject some freshness of mind and legs into his backline. 

For the 22-year-old, it was a return to his former club and the small matter of having to contend with highly-rated Japanese winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. 

That battle is one that Wagner will have anticipated being difficult given the attacking qualities of Sakamoto, with the hope that Placheta's pace could then exploit the pace in behind. 

McCallum won two attempted tackles during the contest, with Sakamoto getting the better of him on three occasions, most notably in the 61st minute, only for Jon Rowe to bail City's defender out. 

But in a game where Norwich found themselves constantly under pressure, McCallum was reliable and defensively solid - even if he didn't offer the same qualities that Giannoulis brings in possession. 

Norwich have utilised the Greek international as a player to break presses and lines with his quality in possession. 

Giannoulis has achieved a greater consistency in his performances, even if Wagner admitted he can be prone to a loss of concentration and positional problems at points. 

This was a game where Norwich struggled to progress the ball forward for significant periods.

The left side has been crucial to getting them up the pitch throughout the opening 11 games due to Giannoulis' and Ben Gibson's qualities on the ball. That wasn't the same with McCallum and Placheta occupying that flank.

McCallum's best attacking moments saw him flash a series of crosses into Coventry's box - Adam Idah was unable to get on the end of either of them in both halves. 

Sam McCallum started ahead of Dimi Giannoulis at the CBS Arena. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

In a race that seemed even for large portions of last season, Giannoulis has managed to get his nose in front of the ex-Coventry man. 

Now Placheta has been thrown into the mix, it felt like McCallum had dropped to third in the pecking order. This was a performance that proved to Wagner he could offer a defensive security if a more pragmatic approach is required. 

This was a solid if somewhat unspectacular performance from City's left-back, in truth - it wasn't enough to dethrone Giannoulis of his starting role on a regular occasion. 

McCallum will have to bide his time and utilise the opportunities when they come in his direction. If a lack of minutes persists, then January may come an important period of his career to search for a new destination. 

Links with Swansea in the summer were interesting, and Norwich would have entertained a deal if any club had made a loan or permanent offer. Nothing was forthcoming despite the speculation. 

In the background, his contractual situation is worth monitoring. McCallum is one of City's 2024 club who are close to entering the final six months of their deal. 

As is Giannoulis, and talks with the Greek international are unlikely to kickstart until 2024. Norwich will have a new sporting director in Ben Knapper making the decisions when that point arrives. 

Along with McCallum, Norwich have been impressed with ex-Benfica left-back Guilherme Montoia - who joined their U21 set-up in the summer and has been highly rated since he arrived in Norfolk. 

Many feel it is a matter of when rather than if he is integrated into the first team - but there is no natural vacancy of yet and his adaptation period is continuing. 

Dimi Giannoulis has been David Wagner's preferred option at left back. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

There is little debating that Giannoulis is City's first choice - McCallum's mission is to try and get closer to the conversation. 

He will need to keep the pressure on Giannoulis in training and through his opportunities in Wagner's side - but given the suitability of the Greek international to Norwich's system, it feels a tall order for McCallum to break into the side consistently. 

VERDICT: A solid return to the starting line-up and mixed success when defending against the impressive Sakamoto. Had flashes of attacking promise with some dangerous crosses but probably not done enough to keep Giannoulis sidelined for long. 

RATING: Six out of 10