Lincoln boss Danny Cowley is convinced Norwich City’s recent signing Sean Raggett will become a ‘top player’ in the future.

The towering centre-back was signed from the League Two side after the Canaries activated a £350,000 release clause in the defender’s contract and agreed a sell-on clause.

City also agreed to the 23-year-old returning to the Imps on loan until January, amid competition from a host of clubs including West Ham and Sunderland, and Cowley is thrilled with how Raggett handled the prolonged speculation about his future.

“He was being wrongly advised, in my opinion, by a lot of people to not play for us and to try to force the move through,” the Lincoln boss revealed.

“He didn’t because he wanted to stay true to himself because he wants to be someone who is judged on his actions and credit to him because he was under real pressure not to play from certain people prior to the Wycombe game (a 2-2 away draw on the opening day of the season).

“He decided to play and put the team first, the team before himself really, and he played like an absolute warrior on the day and he’s been that good ever since.”

Raggett was an integral part of the Imps team which won the National League and reached the FA Cup sixth round last season.

“He’s an outstanding young player,” Cowley continued. “If I look at the progress he’s made since he joined us just over a year ago, from part-time football into full-time football, he’s made incredible progress. He’s going to be a top player and not only have Norwich signed a top player but a top person as well, he’s a credit to himself and his family and we’re really proud of him here.”

The Lincoln chief also saw Norwich as an ideal new home for the former Gillingham trainee.

“Norwich are a great club and for us, we knew it was a really good move for Sean,” the former Braintree boss added. “While we didn’t want to lose him, for me I always treat the players like they’re my children and give them the advice I would give to my children.

“When Norwich showed their interest and the level of interest that they did, I would have been lying to him if I hadn’t told him I thought it was a really good move for him.

“And he’s ready as well, I think between us we’ve got the right pathway for him because he’s still young, he’s only been full-time for a year, prior to the Wycombe game this season he had never played a Football League game.

“So the exposure now to Football League games will continue his progress. He’s making such rapid progress here that’s he’s had that sort of springboard effect so it would be crazy to take him away from his environment at the moment while he’s improving day-in, day-out.”

• For a full scouting report of Raggett’s performance during Lincoln’s 0-0 draw with Luton on Saturday, see today’s Eastern Daily Press or Norwich Evening News