With 12 Championship games played and only Aaron Ramsey consistently impressing in attacking midfield, our analyst takes a look at some of the names who could step up for Norwich City.

Onel Hernandez

Almost certainly the most popular option available to Dean Smith is Onel Hernandez, whose fan favourite status is clear at Carrow Road.

What's less certain when he pulls on the yellow and green shirt, however, is how productive he'll be. Hernandez has contributed as little as three successful actions in the 1-1 draw with Reading to 23 against Huddersfield, when he played 11 minutes fewer.

The danger the Cuban possesses is clear - he's already completed 50 successful dribbles this term and won 65 offensive duels - but reproducing strong numbers on a regular basis will be key to his chances of nailing down a starting spot.

Danel Sinani

Danel Sinani's case is a curious one, having been key to Norwich's early season wins but seeing very little game time in recent weeks.

That's partly due to Teemu Pukki's return from injury forcing Josh Sargent to play in Sinani's usual right-wing position, with the Luxembourg international playing just 75 minutes since Pukki returned to the starting line-up against Coventry over a month ago.

With two goals and three assists already to his name, Sinani will back himself to contribute further to the Canaries' promotion push. He's made an average of 2.43 progressive runs in possession per 90 minutes, and a total 12 shot assists so far this term.

These numbers are impressive, but with Smith's apparent desire to fit both Sargent and Pukki into his team, a change of system may be required for the 25-year-old.

Todd Cantwell

When in pre-season it was apparent that Todd Cantwell's enthusiasm for Norwich City had returned, the assumption was that a top-level Championship creator was only weeks away from being a key man for the Norfolk side.

The reality has slightly underwhelmed, however, with the Dereham-born midfielder yet to make a single goal contribution this term.

Fluctuating form has meant the 24-year-old is another yet to cement himself as a starter, despite those assumptions that he'd be regularly contributing in the final third.

He has threatened to produce at times - every one of his starts has included a shot and he's already found passes into the penalty area 27 times - but the goals and assists that once punctuated Cantwell's good form must return if he's to regularly feature on the team sheet.

Kieran Dowell

When planning an assault on the Championship, Kieran Dowell was at the forefront of Smith's mind. His tactical intelligence and technical ability were significant factors in the 51-year-old's status as a fan of the Liverpudlian, and the ex-Everton man looked set for a starring role.

Similarly to Sinani, that materialised in the opening weeks of the season. The under-20 World Cup winner registered his first goal and assist of the campaign in wins over Millwall and Coventry two weeks apart, and starred in a 2-1 win over Huddersfield in August.

His involvements decreased thereafter, however, and shortly after this so did his game time. Dowell's single touch in the penalty area since 3 September is testament to his lack of presence in recent fixtures, and that key man role appears to be slipping away.

With none of his competition stepping up to grab that position, it remains vacant. The talent is clear to see, but he, as his team-mates, will have to improve his consistency to become an automatic choice.

Jonathan Rowe

Perhaps the real solution is somebody who's yet to feature at all this season.

A stress fracture to the shin late in pre-season has ruled Jonathan Rowe out of action up until now, but the young City winger has returned to gym work and is set to be available again before long.

The 19-year-old registered 2.79 touches in penalty area per 90 minutes even in a struggling Premier League side, as he looked like the outlet the Canaries really needed.

Despite his young age, the winger will back himself to add to the 355 minutes he's already amassed in a Norwich shirt.