Will Jennings: The quiet rise of a new Canaries star Sam McCallum

But after another impressive performance at a rocking Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night, there’s another young star in yellow and green who deserves similar recognition.

Sam McCallum has enjoyed a relatively consistent run in David Wagner’s side over the last few weeks, thrust into the heat of East Anglian derby day battle in the absence of the injured, still mask-wearing Dimitris Giannoulis.

And despite being far from the finished product, it’s fair to say he’s more than held his own.

Of course, Giannoulis is the superior player and one of the first names on the teamsheet when Wagner has a fully fit squad at his disposal.

But for all his occasional lapses of positional awareness, McCallum, still just 23, has proved a firmly capable understudy.

Me and the 800 other loyal – or lunatic: take your pick – fans who indulged in a midweek trip to the West Country witnessed yet another strong showing from McCallum in City’s FA Cup replay at Bristol Rovers, pulling off a series of vital blocks and providing a constant, combative threat down the flank in conjunction with the likes of Rowe and late in the game, Borja Sainz once the hot-headed Spaniard entered the fray.

But what has made McCallum’s performances over the last month so impressive is his razor-sharp ability to read the game, frequently darting in to intercept balls out wide and kickstarting those counter-attacks we rely so heavily on under Wagner’s largely defensive setup.

Despite being caught out of position or too high up the pitch in that chaotic first-half at Portman Road – only natural for a young player lacking minutes in front of a cauldron-resembling atmosphere – McCallum bounced back to deliver a rock-solid display in the second to help City grab a precious, 14-year record-extending point.

And it’s those intelligent, front-foot and aggressive defensive exploits that have continued to emerge as a key characteristic of McCallum’s game throughout the festive period, so frequently nipping in ahead of the opposition winger to snatch back possession and halt sustained spells of pressure.

Many fans have been quick to write off McCallum for his occasional tendency to linger too high up the pitch and leave City exposed down the left-hand-side.

And while I agree that’s an area of his game he must improve, there’s no disputing his awareness when he does position himself in the right place.

The reason he often finds himself so far forward is merely the product of his natural inclination to attack, a theme consistent among all modern full-backs and one that saw him play a pivotal role in Sara’s second-half leveller under the Memorial Stadium lights.

McCallum’s marauding run and curling shot that cannoned off the crossbar provided crystal-clear evidence of his talent going forward, an ability from our full-back heightened even further in its importance given Wagner’s aversion to controlling games and reliance of hitting teams on the counter.

And while it’s his dynamic defensive displays that have been most impressive, his header in City’s pre-Christmas triumph over Huddersfield was one that even Alan Shearer would be proud of and further outlined his influence in injecting Wagner’s often uncreative side with an additional attacking outlet.

The clock is ticking on Giannoulis’ contract situation and like most City fans, I would love to see our first choice full-back put pen to paper and extend his time at Carrow Road.

But with McCallum’s also expiring this summer, I’d be hopeful that the so far invisible Ben Knapper is similarly working hard behind the scenes to secure the former Coventry star’s signature as well.

Despite Wednesday’s battling win from behind in Bristol and City booking themselves a fourth round date at Anfield, it’s not been fun following Wagner’s turgid team over the festive period.

But if you’re searching for one of the few, non-Rowe-related positives, look no further that McCallum and his quiet rise to becoming one of City’s more competent performers.