Brad Hills is determined to prove himself during his 'make or break' loan at League Two side Accrington Stanley. 

The young Norwich City defender has made a positive early impression at the Wham Stadium and has been ever-present for John Coleman's side since joining on loan earlier in the summer. 

Hills has become a fan favourite and caught the eye with his aerially dominant displays in a side that has won three of their opening six games of the campaign.

The defender, 19, is highly rated by City and signed a long-term deal in 2022 but is yet to make his senior debut for the club despite being named on the bench on three occasions in the Championship last term. 

Reports of Hills' progress have described him as looking a cut above thus far - but consistency is the aim of the game during his time in Lancashire. The defender is enjoying every minute of his first spell away from Norfolk. 

"It's a long way from home and I knew that coming here would be completely different for me," Hills told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It's a make or break situation for me. I'm young, this is my first loan so it was either come here and rip it up or not. I think of it like that really. I came here to play games and do well and I've tried not to think about anything else.

"So far, I'm really enjoying it. I feel like I've fitted in really well, and I'm playing football in a league where it is really challenging for a youngster.

"Hopefully I can keep on playing and remain injury free. The physical side of it is what I thought it would be. A lot of the football is played in the air and games are won and lost off aerial battles."

Hills isn't the only Norwich youngster to be out on loan to Accrington - young Lewis Shipley also made the move north in the summer. 

Shipley suffered a nasty injury during his debut for Accrington on the opening day of the campaign in a 3-0 victory against Newport. The teenager has since returned to Norwich for rehabilitation. 

The Pink Un: Norwich City defender Lewis Shipley has also joined Accrington Stanley on loan. Norwich City defender Lewis Shipley has also joined Accrington Stanley on loan. (Image: PA Images)

"Me and Ships have played together for a long time so it's good to get him away for a bit so I can play on my own!", Hills joked. "We get on really well and it's great to have a familiar face around the building.

"It's a shame he got injured because I feel we have a great partnership on the pitch. When he is back, hopefully we can form that again and I don't think it will hard to get that back.

"From a personal point, I think it's been a good start for me. I have played every game. From a team point of view, we've had a really good start and we're around the play-offs which is where we want to be."