Bradley Johnson and Alexander Tettey have formed a promising partnership at the heart of the Canaries' midfield.

Norwich City midfielder Bradley Johnson has hailed the impact made by Alexander Tettey after another all-action display from the Norwegian against Stoke City on Saturday.

The pair have formed a formidable barrier in front of the City back in recent weeks, culminating in another clean sheet in the 1-0 success against the Potters.

Johnson has been impressed at how quickly Tettey has settled into the English game following his £2m move from Rennes but knows City have plenty of midfielders waiting in the wings if they can’t maintain their recent form.

“Alex has come in and been terrific for us – he has settled in really well,” said Johnson, whose header just before half-time helped City to their second successive home win at the weekend. “He has bided his time and he has taken his chance now.

“But there’s a lot of competition because I think (Jonny) Howson and Foxy (David Fox) are unlucky not to be playing at the moment. They are two great players. When you play at this club there’s a lot of competition and everyone plays to keep their shirt for the next game.”

Saturday’s victory saw a five-point gap open up between the Canaries and the bottom three, giving rise to hopes this won’t be the relegation scrap many feared after an indifferent start. However, Johnson insists nobody is getting carried away with City’s recent form and reiterated that the club’s main priority is to remain in the Premier League. Anything else that comes the club’s way, including any cup success, would be an added bonus.

“We just want to stay in this league – if we do it by one point then we will be happy with that,” he added. “We want to go into every game looking to win and if we keep doing what we’re doing then I’m sure we will finish in and around the same position, maybe higher.”

Norwich will be looking to bag their first away win of the season on Saturday when they go to Reading and Johnson believes it is imperative City take points away from the sides likely to be near the foot of the table.

“It’s good to take points off teams in and around us,” he said. “When you play the top teams in this league and you get points then it’s a bonus.

“Reading are a good team and we’ve just got to go there and hopefully we can get three points.”

• OTHER OPTIONS

David Fox: Every pass is a prisoner to the former Colchester man, whose season has been disrupted by a knee injury sustained in the summer.

Jonny Howson: Has the ability to be top performer in the Premier League and will be pushing hard to get back into the side.

Andrew Surman: Normally plays down the left but the former Southampton man’s cultured left foot is a nice option for Chris Hughton to use through the middle.

Jacob Butterfield: Arrived at club with knee injury and is embarking on the long road back to full match fitness.