DEFENDER Simon Francis described as “a player we will have to be wary of” Norwich’s red-hot striker Teemu Pukki.

The Finnish frontman has scored 10 goals in 12 games for club and country this season, including six for the Canaries in the Premier League.

Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sergio Agüero and Tammy Abraham have scored more in the top flight than the 29-year-old this campaign.

Francis could face off against Pukki when Norwich tomorrow visit Vitality Stadium (3pm).

Quizzed on the former Brondby and Celtic man, who joined the Canaries on a free in 2018, the club captain told the Daily Echo: “He’s a top player. He has proven he can do it in the Premier League.

“His movement is excellent. He is one of those strikers who doesn’t necessarily get involved in the game too much but will come alive in and around the box.

“He has scored his goals at the highest level, so is certainly a player we will have to be wary of.”

Pukki netted when Norwich stunned defending champions Manchester City 3-2 at home last month.

But they have since suffered defeats to Burnley, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa and slipped to 19th in the Premier League with six points from eight games.

“It has surprised me since the Man City game that they haven’t gone on and picked up more results because they were excellent against Man City,” said Francis.

“That was almost a complete performance against one of the best teams in Europe.

“To then after that go on a bad run of form, which they have had of late, is a surprise to me.

“We know their style of play. They are going to press high, work hard and have quality on the ball.

“But as they have shown in the past few weeks, they have conceded goals and we will have to make that our strength to go and score.”