Norwich City head coach Dean Smith has confirmed that he believes Josh Sargent is best in a central role, despite regularly deploying him on the right wing.

Sargent has played the majority of games this season out wide, only featuring as a striker when amid injury issues for main man Teemu Pukki.

That's led to debate over the American's role in the Canaries team, with many City supporters calling for a return to the role he enjoyed early in the campaign.

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Smith does believe his best position is through the middle, but explained why he hasn't regularly featured there, saying: "His best position is a centre-forward, down the middle as a 'nine'.

"We all saw that in the games where he started when Teemu was injured, but at the moment we've got Pukki as well, who we also think very highly of, and who's a proven goalscorer at this level.

"We've tried to find a way where the two of them can work together and thankfully they've got 15 goals between them so far, and hopefully many more to come."

Sargent has revealed previously that he prefers playing centrally, but is happy to fulfil any role as long as he's contributing to the team.

"I think they're (Norwich fans) definitely seeing a different Josh Sargent than last season," he said. "Confidence-wise, I feel like everything's flowing right now, everything's going well. If we (him and Pukki) can both be on the pitch and work together, that's the best thing possible, which I feel like we've done a good job of this season.

"If I can play winger or striker, whatever it is, and just keep playing my game, keep producing goals or assists - at the end of the day, that's all I really want to be doing."

Sargent could feature for his country in their opening World Cup fixture against Wales tomorrow evening, having been included in the USA's squad for the tournament.

He had been omitted from the group when struggling for form last season, but US coach Gregg Berhalter has faith in the 22-year-old after his nine-goal start to the Championship campaign.

Speaking in City's club-produced 'Resilient' documentary on Sargent, he said: "One thing that forwards are judged on, whether it's fair or not, is goals. When he wasn't scoring, it was more difficult to include him.

"Last year in the Premier League he played a lot of times on the right wing, so it was difficult for us to get an idea of what he could do at striker.

"There's a silver lining in everything, and when the top goalscorer (Pukki) goes down with a slight injury and Josh gets to play striker and he scores a bunch of goals, he gets confidence, and we get to call him into the national team.

"For him it's about continuing to do what he does well at Norwich, continuing to try to perform well when he gets his opportunitities with us. The rest he can't control."