Jack Stacey is setting the pace for Norwich City youngster Kellen Fisher as he plots his own path into the first-team.
The youngster has impressed new Canaries chief Johannes Hoff Thorup in pre-season, even featuring as a central midfielder and left-back as the Dane seeks to unlock his most effective position.
But Fisher is best known for being a right back, and spent the entirety of last season behind the experienced Stacey, who was ever-present for City during their run to the play-offs last season.
That watching brief is something that Fisher regards as pivotal to his development, showcasing the standards he needs to reach to become a consistent City performer in the Championship.
"It's been really good. Especially last year, when I spent a lot of time on the bench, I think it was really good for my development to watch him week in and week out to note the level that I need to be at.
"To be fair to Jack, he helps me out a lot in training. We have quite a few chats about defending going forward, and he helps a lot," Fisher said.
"We've got a good group of experienced players and a lot of young players. You've had a lot of young guys coming on like Gabe [Forsyth] and Monty [Guilherme Montoia] who have done really well so far in pre-season.
"They will only get better with the learning experience of playing in these games."
Fisher is one of a few young players hoping to make the cut as Thorup looks to streamline his squad and make decisions on a host of players as the Championship opener against Oxford United comes rapidly into view.
Kellen Fisher has impressed in a host of positions at Norwich City. (Image: Adam Harvey/Newsquest)
Norwich are currently on their final training camp in Austria and will host Hoffenheim later on Wednesday evening before returning to Norfolk to face fellow Bundesliga side St Pauli to conclude their preparations.
Fisher is relishing the tests to come, and believes they will help focus minds in the final furlong of pre-season.
"Especially the teams that we're playing, they are great opposition so it's only a great learning curve for us," Fisher said.
"You want to be the best team in the league, so playing these sides is only a good thing for us."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here