Sebastien Bassong receives Chris Hughton backing

Norwich City manager Chris Hughton has insisted that he has no concerns over the recent form of Sebastien Bassong.

The centre-back was heavily criticised for the performance that he put in during the recent 4-1 defeat away at Aston Villa, while it was he that gave away the penalty as the Canaries were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City at Carrow Road on Saturday.

However, Hughton has claimed that the 27-year-old has done enough this season to show that he is a "big player" for Norwich.

"Overall I have been happy with Seb this season. It is fair to say he didn't have his best game [against Villa] and he has been involved again on the penalty, but overall I have not been disappointed with his performances," the Eastern Daily Press quotes Hughton as saying.

"He is a big character and we need as many big characters as we can for the challenge ahead. He is a big player for us and if I look at his performance against Stoke I think he took responsibility at the back with the way they operated with just one player up front. He tries to make things happen for the team and I felt it was a very soft penalty, but it turned out to be a big moment."

Bassong joined Norwich from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2012.