David Wagner insists the ‘outstanding’ Kenny McLean can hold his own in Norwich City’s central defence.

The Scottish midfielder was a surprise partner for Shane Duffy in the Canaries’ 2-1 Championship comeback at Bristol City.

Danny Batth dropped out of the line up while young centre back Jaden Warner did not make the bench, as Wagner tested his captain’s versatility at Ashton Gate.

McLean looked composed in the first start of a City career at the heart of the Norwich backline.

“To be fair I didn't ask him if he ever played this position,” said Wagner. “But he had done it for us in shorter spells on three occasions when he played centre back and we were very strong in ball possession, and in the play out.

“I expected Bristol to press us very energetically, very high, and obviously this is why I wanted to have a left footed centre half who's comfortable on the ball.

"It was a tough decision because obviously Danny played very well against Watford, scored, and he is a top defender, a super pro and he took it super professionally, and he knows he will get picked in the next games for sure as well because this was something which was strongly dependent on the opponent. But Kenny is a further option.

“He was exactly what I expected from him, very calm on the ball, defended very well and obviously because Bristol were maybe not the most aerial threat in their offence it suited Kenny to play centre back as well.

"It was an outstanding performance, especially if it was the first time he played centre back (from the start) for sure. I only spoke briefly with him in the dressing room afterwards and he said it's a great position because I only have to run six kilometres.”

Academy prospect Warner was on the bench for the previous Championship game at Watford. The 21-year-old did travel to Bristol and was spotted doing an individual warm up prior to kick-off, but Wagner confirmed it was a tactical decision.

“Like always when we play so far away from home I go with 19 outfield players and obviously, Jaden was the 19th player, because I only needed one centre half with Danny on the bench,” he said. “This meant that Jaden took some extra work before the game. This was the only reason why he was on the grass and had some work to do.”