Blond bomber James Maddison is Norwich City’s poster boy

Norwich City midfielder James Maddison posts a picture of his new haircut on Instagram. Picture: James Maddison, official Instagram account (Image: Archant)

The Canaries’ hot prospect celebrated his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad earlier this week, to confirm his star is on the rise after a string of eye-catching club displays.

Daniel Farke is in no doubt Maddison - sporting a new-look blond haircut for Saturday’s Championship trip to Bolton - will not be the last to earn accolades as the German strives to build an exciting future at Carrow Road.

“It is totally deserved for James. I am happy for him and I know he feels honoured and proud,” said the head coach. “He can handle it because he seems to be really growing up this season. It is not a problem he will lose the ground under his feet - although he has got a new haircut.

“That is a problem but not his attitude.

“There are some new colours. I asked him and he told me it was pretty expensive, I said, ‘For him or the hairdresser?’

“But it is a good sign for our way. Last season we were one of the oldest in the Championship, this season probably the youngest. That is our way, to develop our style with players full of potential.

“There will be setbacks because they are not so experienced or on the quality level right now of someone who costs £15m but it is so important for our future, to develop players with our identity and philosophy.

“We have James and Angus Gunn and last season we had Jacob and Josh Murphy who were playing at this level.”

Maddison will be a key figure at Bolton before linking up with his country.

“To be honest I’ve thought that James needs a break in the last few weeks. It’s his first season in the Championship and he’s played a lot of minutes,” said Farke. “He’s so important, but you can see he’s a little tired.

“He still has a brilliant attitude, and he can create special moments even if he’s tired.

“We have to find the right balance with his load, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem to have him on the pitch (against Bolton).

“For sure, we have to think if it is the right decision to play him this weekend but I don’t expect him to play every minute with the England U21s when he joins up.”

Maddison will head off to St George’s Park after the Bolton game to prepare for a Euro qualifying trip to Ukraine next Friday.