Kenny McLean believes Norwich City are reaping the rewards of their patient approach with winger Borja Sainz.

The winger had to wait until December for his first start in yellow and green since completing a move to Norfolk from Turkish side Giresunspor last summer. 

Injuries and adaptation saw David Wagner and his coaching team take the long route to exposing him to Championship action - but Sainz has netted twice in his first five starts for the club. 

An ankle ligament injury sustained in pre-season halted Sainz' progress and limited his progress - leaving him playing catch-up. 

Sainz has injected an added dimension into their attacking efforts and showed positive flashes during his opening weeks in the starting line-up. 

His preventable dismissal on Boxing Day against West Brom displayed that there is more work to go and Wagner bemoaned his actions that led to a 1-0 defeat against their play-off rivals but has quickly reinstated him to the side. 

Even though Wagner's patient approach was a method that was met with frustration from some supporters, McLean believes Norwich are reaping the benefits of slowly introducing Sainz to English football. 

"He's shown his ability," McLean said on the Spaniard. "It's taken him time to adapt and from the outside everybody was wanting him earlier but what's happened with him has been perfect.

"He's been brought in, working hard in training on different things that can help us and on the tactical side of the game as well. It's a different game here in the Championship compared to what he has been used to.

The Pink Un: Borja Sainz has made some positive steps since being thrown into the Norwich City side.Borja Sainz has made some positive steps since being thrown into the Norwich City side. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"There has been a lot of that adapting happening behind the scenes. Now, we are seeing the best of that. Maybe if he came in earlier it wouldn't have been the case.

"The way he has been used, the patience that has been put on him even though people inside the place wanted him in quicker, it's been perfect."

The mission for Sainz now is to achieve consistency in his performances as Norwich continue their bid to achieve a top six finish. He has become a key component of their plans over a hectic festive period.