"Vital" - Double Norwich City transfer prediction issued ahead of January window | OneFootball

Our Canaries Fan Pundit has two suggested moves for January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Norwich City haven’t had the worst start to their Championship season, but they would have hoped to be higher at this point.

They currently sit in eighth place but are already a sizeable 10 points adrift of league leaders Sunderland.

It means the Canaries may well look for reinforcements when the January transfer window comes around.

We asked Norwich Fan Pundit, Zeke Downes, what two moves he could see his club making at the start of next year.

One in, one out for Norwich in January

The Canaries supporter feels that one prospect needs some time away on loan, while reinforcements upfront must be looked at.

Speaking to Football League World, Zeke said: “I think one thing will be that Brad Hills goes out on loan because he’s not even making the matchday squad now, so it’s not ideal.

“A lot of Norwich fans wanted him around the squad, but there’s not much you can do about it.

“I think if he was ready, then he would be included. But, yeah, I could see him going out on loan, definitely.

“And, I think we’ll get another striker.

“Be that on loan, or on a free, or even a cheap deal.

“But I think it’s vital that we get back-up for [Josh] Sargent because if he gets an injury, then we don’t have anyone else to replace him.”

Hills should angle for loan move in January

Norwich shouldn't allow his career to take a step back

As Zeke points out, Brad Hills has only made a Championship matchday squad on seven occasions and is yet to actually get a minute on the pitch.

That has led him to dropping back down to Premier League 2 action with the U21s already this season, which is fine to keep match fitness up but will not provide anywhere near the same opportunity for development as competing with seasoned professionals on a weekly basis will.

The 20-year-old made 41 League Two appearances for Accrington Stanley last season, so is clearly ready for senior football. Playing back in the academy will feel like a step down after a promising season. With that campaign on his CV, it seems likely that a club somewhere in the Football League could benefit from his services for a few months.

It may well be, as Zeke says, that Hill just isn’t quite ready for Championship football; centre-back carries a lot of responsibility and quality in the league is high, but he is also clearly beyond the need to be playing academy football, or turning up each week to sit on the bench. He has also, in recent days, been recovering from an injury.

After such a productive season, this is not the time Hills wants to stagnate. A loan move appears sensible to get him back up to speed and building towards being ready for the second tier.