Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough has been impressed by Jamie Allen's start to Championship life with Burton Albion following his two starts against Leeds United and Norwich.

Allen was one of few standout players against Leeds despite the Brewers' 5-0 thrashing, but Albion followed that up with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Norwich on Tuesday night, with Allen one of the stars of the show.

Allen signed for the Brewers late on August 31 on a three-year deal, with the 22-year-old joining on an undisclosed fee from Rochdale and following another former Spotland man in Matty Lund to the Pirelli Stadium.

Elland Road was the former Dale captain's Championship debut, and it was quite the introduction to the second tier.

Tasked with playing in the centre of a five-man midfield alongside Kyle McFadzean and Matty Lund, Allen looked to get on the ball and when in possession, played some smart passes and looked impressive - registering Burton's first and only attempt of the match, an effort from 25 yards that flew well over the bar.

Jamie Allen made his debut against Leeds on Saturday
Jamie Allen made his debut against Leeds on Saturday

But that was about as good as it got for Allen and Burton in general, with the likes of Kemar Roofe, Pablo Hernandez and Samuel Saiz causing countless problems across the Elland Road park for the visitors.

Goals from Roofe, Hernandez, Kalvin Philips and a double from striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga ensured that Allen's Brewers debut ended in defeat.

But it was Tuesday's match against Norwich that showed why the Brewers were so desperate to land the former Dale man, with the midfielder going toe-to-toe with Canaries attacker Wes Hoolahan.

Allen more than matched a midfielder that has 40 international caps for the Republic of Ireland and over 300 career appearances for Norwich - quite the competition for the diminutive summer signing.

Such was his impact, he could have even scored - but his back-post effort denied by the face of Ivo Pinto ultimately ensuring the game remained goalless.

And Brewers boss Nigel Clough was pleased with how Allen managed to stay hot on the heels of Hoolahan, and praised his mature performance - which certainly belied his relatively young age.

Jamie Allen fires goalwards in Burton Albion's goalless draw at Norwich City

"I thought it was a fascinating tussle with Wes Hoolahan and Jamie Allen, two of the smallest players in the Championship probably the pair of them, and Jamie tracked him and frustrated him all evening, because he's the one who can create something out of nothing," Clough said post-match.

"He did very well, and for 22-years-old and only his second game in the Championship, he did extremely well.

"I think it helped him having Luke Murphy alongside him who was excellent in the first-half.

Norwich City's Wesley Hoolahan tries to find a way past Burton Albion midfielder Jamie Allen
Norwich City's Wesley Hoolahan tries to find a way past Burton Albion midfielder Jamie Allen

"I think you can see the potential that Jamie's got.

"I thought he was brilliant tonight, he's done so much work it's incredible and he's tracked Hoolahan - who I thought was their most dangerous player - all over the pitch and hardly given him a minute.

"I thought it was a very mature midfield performance alongside Murphy, who I thought was equally as good."