Sainz played the first 45 minutes at Colney in front of head coach David Wagner, Canaries’ sporting director Stuart Webber, and his assistant Neil Adams, following a delayed start to his City career.
The 22-year-old arrived on a free transfer from Turkey after an impressive personal campaign in Giresunspor’s Super Lig relegation.
But Sainz injured ankle ligaments in his second training session, and is now playing catch up as he bids to make his mark on the club’s Championship promotion push.
The Spaniard showed some quality touches in possession, and a searing turn of pace, but his best moment came in the 37th minute when he linked with former Manchester City youngster Dan Ogwuru before unleashing a 20-yard strike that cannoned against the woodwork, with Wolves keeper Palmi Arinbjornsson beaten.
Ken Aboh coolly cancelled out Ethan McLeod’s early strike prior to the interval before Harry Brooke smashed home from close range, after Adian Manning’s initial shot struck the base of a post.
But Wolves hit back four minutes from the end, when Fin Ashworth got in front of Waylon Reneke to squeeze Harry Birtwistle’s cross home.
Alan Neilson’s line up also featured Kellen Fisher and Jaden Warner, in the development squad’s opening game in a pool that also features Bournemouth and Charlton. Each team play home and away, with the top two in the group progressing to the last 16.
Wolves made the sharper start with McLeod’s rising effort gathered by Norwich keeper Caleb Ansen.
But the hosts failed to heed that warning when Emmanuel Adegboyega was caught on his heels and McLeod raced clear to draw Ansen and slot into the roof of the net.
Sainz’s first impact saw him turn intelligently away from his marker before a sharp pass into Ogwuru, but Fisher’s deep cross rolled out of play.
The Spaniard was dumped to the turf in the 14th minute, after a heavy collision with Marvin Kaleta, but was able to get to his feet without any treatment.
Norwich levelled a minute later, with Ansen and Warner building from the back before the captain’s long pass released Aboh who angled a low finish into the bottom corner from 14 yards.
Sainz sparked another move of promise when he closed down Kaleta but Brooke lashed over.
Arinbjornsson claimed Brooke’s floating free kick under his own bar after Ogwuru was upended by to earn Kam Konovla the game’s first booking.
Fin Welch and Tom Dickson-Peters replaced Sainz and Ogwuru respectively at the interval. The hosts went in front in the 53rd minute, when Brooke was first to Manning’s rebound to smack home inside the six yard box.
Aboh used all his strength and trickery to carry the ball from just inside the Wolves’ half but his shot brushed Aaron Keto-Diyana and rolled through to Arinbjornsson.
Tawanda Chirewa spurned a clear chance to test Ansen at the other end, but planted a free header over the top.
Gabe Forsyth almost marked his late arrival for Norwich with an assist, but Reneke’s far post stab was smothered by the Wolves keeper.
But the vistors levelled in the 86th minute when Ashworth reacted quicker than Reneke to poke past Ansen from 10 yards.
Yet City still carved out two excellent chances in the closing minutes to go back in front, but Scottish youngster Forysth dragged his efforts wide of the near post from inside the Wolves’ penalty area.
Norwich City: Ansen, Fisher, Reneke, Warner © (Wilson, 82), Adeboyega, Brooke, Manning (Duffy, 75), Djedje, Ogwuru (Dickson-Peters, 45), Aboh (Forsyth, 75), Sainz (Welch, 45). Subs: all used.
Goals: Aboh (15), Brooke (53)
Booking: Manning
Wolves (starting XI): Arinbjornsson, Kaleta, Keto-Diyana, Hesketh, Kanovla, Husner ©, Birtwistle, Whittingham, McLeod, Chirewa, Farmer. Subs: Ojinnaka, Young, Rees, Chiwome, Ashworth.
Bookings: Kanovla, Rees, Husner
Goals: McLeod (7), Ashworth (86)
Referee: Farai Hallam
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