David Wagner is not in the business of handing out freebies after urging teenagers Ken Aboh and Finley Welch to leave their mark on Norwich City’s Championship charge.

The City chief gave both prospects their senior debuts with late cameos from the bench in the recent league tussles against Middlesbrough and Rotherham.

Striker Aboh has been prolific at development level this season, while attacking midfielder Welch is another highly-rated youngster at Carrow Road.

“They deserve it. They train with us now for five weeks and have done very well for the under-21s, and hopefully it gives them the boost and the belief that they are close,” said Wagner. “It's all about their performances. They have a chance, if they use it.

"It's only in their hands, and we do everything to support them as good as we can. It's the first step, but it should only be a first step. And there should be a lot of further ones to come.

“With Ken I said the same after Welchy’s debut (at Middlesbrough). He was quite a few times now involved in the matchday squad and worked hard to get his debut.

"I think he totally deserved it because he always works very hard and can make something happen on the ball as well, if he shows the bravery he shows in training as well. And this is why they got a debut, and hopefully keep going, and this gives them a further boost.”

Norwich travel to Stoke this weekend in the top six, following a sixth straight Carrow Road league win at the expense of Rotherham.

“After the game, to the guys, I said, ‘Let's make sure we are the group who is super ambitious, but very, very humble’,” said Wagner. “Let's make sure we are the group who speak less, works more, because we all together know the only thing which counts is to be in the play-offs after 46 games. I prefer to be in the play-offs with nine games to go, rather than not, but it doesn't count.”

City’s nearest play-off rivals in the current Championship standings, Hull City and Coventry City, are not in league action this weekend ahead of the upcoming international break.

The Sky Blues were scheduled to play the Tigers but now face Wolves in the FA Cup quarter-finals.