Norwich City column: There is one position that should top the club’s recruitment list in January transfer window

Christmas is nearly here – and among all the festive cheer is an excitement among Norwich City for the January transfer window to open.

For unlike years of past, the noises from around the club suggest there is an appetite for continuing to reshape the squad, and the financial support to do so.

Given his start to the season, there will undoubtedly be questions about the future of Borja Sainz, but I hope it’s a month where the focus is very much on those arriving at Carrow Road.

Top of my wish list is a new right winger. I think it’s fair to accept that Christian Fassnacht’s days are numbered, while it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Kaide Gordon’s loan spell ended prematurely.

Even without those departures, it is an area of the pitch where quality is lacking. Ante Crnac, Oscar Schwartau, Emiliano Marcondes and Amankwah Forson have all been given a go, but I don’t think it’s a natural position for any of the aforementioned quartet. Square pegs in round holes and all that.

As a result, in recent weeks it has felt like a lack of threat down that side of the pitch has enabled teams to double up on Sainz and reduce his impact on games.

Coming in a close second on the priority list is a new striker.

We all love Josh Sargent, but his injury record is most definitely a concern.

Crnac has shown potential in that role; but more reinforcements are certainly needed, both to provide competition for Sargent, but also to ease his workload when fit and available. Let’s hope that’s soon.

And last but by no means least on this list is a proper defensive midfielder, to sit at the base of the three and allow the likes of Marcelino Nunez to flourish.

Again, we do have good players in this area, but depth is lacking – particularly evident when Kenny McLean is out of the side, which has been a lot recently.