Norwich City's young guns are making waves as they seek to stake their claim to be involved in Johannes Hoff Thorup's new look Canaries side. 

A host of City youngsters have been involved in the first half of their Championship preparations, with Thorup and sporting director Ben Knapper determined to integrate more academy prospects into their frontline squad. 

Players like Brad Hills, Guilherme Montoia and Uriah Djedje have impressed both in matches and training. 17-year-old Gabriel Forsyth has also been handed first-team opportunities - most recently in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Standard Liege in Belgium. 

Thorup is expecting to streamline his squad as the second half of pre-season begins tomorrow against German side Magdeburg, but the young cohorts' willingness to learn has impressed experienced campaigner Kenny McLean. 

"Very impressed," McLean said. "It will be tough for them coming into a different environment, a first-team one, playing a different way. 

"It's great to see how much they want to learn and how much they're willing to take everything on board from the manager and older lads. They continue to ask questions. From a young boy, you really want to see that. 

"You want to see people want to do well and progress their own game."

Despite the discourse around young players, Thorup will also place his faith in a host of experienced players, like McLean, to help get his project off the ground. 

The City head coach held talks with the leadership group, including the Scottish duo McLean and club captain Grant Hanley, over the summer to outline his plans. 

"We spoke to the manager before we came back in after the Euros and it wasn't too much on what he wanted - it was more to get to know each other," McLean told the Pink Un. 

Kenny McLean still believes the experienced pros have a key role to play in Thorup's City project.Kenny McLean still believes the experienced pros have a key role to play in Thorup's City project. (Image: Adam Harvey/Newsquest)

"There will be times where he will maybe lean on the older boys or lads that he knows he can trust, and that's the same as every manager, really. Every manager wants that. 

"We have a really good dressing room so I don't think he needs to worry too much about what is going on. It's just about getting his ideas across and everyone is desperate to buy into into what he is doing and everyone is learning. 

"We have got a few weeks to continue to learn and get better and I think we'll definitely be ready."