Kenny McLean is not a sticking plaster solution for Norwich City in central defence, with David Wagner seeing a future for the Scot in the role. 

The Canaries captain has partnered Shane Duffy in the heart of defence for matches against Bristol City and Preston - improving Norwich's work in building out from the back. 

McLean has been preferred to experienced defender Danny Batth who has dropped out of the squad to facilitate the change. Wagner has been keen on getting a left-footer into his backline after losing Ben Gibson to injury. 

With Gibson set for a return to training next week and Grant Hanley also on the comeback trail, a true test of the viability of McLean remaining in that position is to come over the festive period. 

McLean has been seen as somewhat of a short-term fix to their defensive problems, but Wagner sees a future for him in that role. 

"No one should underestimate how smart and football intelligent Kenny is. He brings a lot of skills to be a top, top left-footed centre-half if you like to play out from the back and defend on the front foot," Wagner said.

"He's quite quick for a centre-half, competes in the air and has a lot of skills. I'm not surprised, especially after recent weeks where he played three times there for the last half an hour when we had to chase the game and, in all three games, this half an hour was the best part of our game.

"He gives a lot to our team, especially in ball possession. The truth is we discussed whether we wanted to play him as a centre-half against a direct team where you have to compete for the second balls or do we like to bring in a taller centre-half and have Kenny in midfield.

"We made the decision to keep him there to compete for the first ball. I think this worked quite well.

"The good thing is that he loves the position and he said that 'I only have to run seven kilometres a game'. This is a position that suits him and where I see a future for him. We will see how it progresses in the future but I love to have him in my team."

The Pink Un: Kenny McLean has featured as a central defender for Norwich City in the last two matches. Kenny McLean has featured as a central defender for Norwich City in the last two matches. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Despite some expressing concerns about McLean featuring against tougher opponents, with an East Anglian Derby against high-flying Ipswich on the horizon, Wagner believes those concerns were put to bed against Preston on Saturday. 

"After the last game against Preston, nobody should have any doubts. He can play there against a team that is very direct and physical as a centre-half.

"Then, as a team, we have to make sure we are good in ball possession to push the opponent back and be strong at counterpress as well because then you won't have to defend your own box too often. This is what the players and Kenny did well in the last game."