Grant Hanley played 45 minutes on his latest injury comeback as a strong Norwich City Under-21s side dismantled 10-man Manchester City’s Under-21s 6-0 in Premier League Two on Sunday.

The fit-again Scottish international had to pause his original return from a long term Achilles injury when he picked up a hamstring issue recently.

But Hanley appeared at the Joie Stadium on Sunday as he looked to step up his bid to be involved in the Canaries’ festive Championship campaign.

Hanley was joined in Alan Neilson’s line up by Kellen Fisher, Adam Forshaw, Liam Gibbs, Tony Springett and Przemyslaw Placheta.

That senior quintet were all on the bench for the Canaries in Saturday’s East Anglian derby 2-2 draw at Ipswich. Placheta, Gibbs and Springett made late appearances at Portman Road.

Prolific Norwich development striker Ken Aboh tested George Murray-Jones in the first real chance of the game.

The hosts were without some of their usual development personnel, with players called up to England youth squads or set to be involved with Pep Guardiola's senior squad for their upcoming appearance at the Fifa Club World Cup.

Ashton Muir had darted inside for the Citizens and his shot was deflected to Josh Adam, who fired wide of the target.

Guilherme Montóia caught the eye for the visitors as well, with his pace a threat down the left. Murray-Jones saved on the angle before Montoia curled an effort from outside the box just over the bar.

Aboh opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time, after Kian Noble was red carded for handling on the line.

With Man City down to 10 men, the Canaries took full advantage after the break. Springett notched a double either side of the hour mark, rifling into the bottom corner from Forshaw’s pass, before heading in Fisher’s cross at the back post.

Joe Duffy made his mark after replacing Finley Welch with two goals in a seven minute spell, rounding off a flowing counter and then coolly finished Emmanuel Adegboyega’s cut back.

Polish international Placheta completed the rout when he slotted from close range.

Neilson’s squad were 10th in Premier League Two ahead of kick-off and won 1-0 at Wolves last week in the Premier League Cup.

Man City U21s: Murray-Jones, Okeke, Parker (Drake, 78), Noble, Galvez (C) (Naylor, 78), Fapetu (Harrison, 25), Muir, Adam, Heskey (Nfonkeu, 85), Taylor, Dunbar-McDonald. Sub (not used): Grant

Norwich City U21s: Reyes, Fisher, Montóia (Wilson, 79), Warner (C), Hanley (Adegboyega, 45), Forshaw (Manning, 73), Springett, Gibbs, Welch (Duffy, 59), Aboh (Lima, 73), Placheta. Subs (all used).

Booking: Gibbs

Goals: Aboh (45), Springett (54, 76), Duffy (78, 85), Placheta (90)