Daniel Farke insisted after his successful first outing as Norwich City boss he has no wish to push the absent Jonny Howson out of Carrow Road.

The Pink Un: Wes Hoolahan leads out Norwich City as captain in Ireland. Picture: Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus ImagesWes Hoolahan leads out Norwich City as captain in Ireland. Picture: Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

Howson was a notable omission from the squad that eased to a 5-0 friendly win on Wednesday night at League of Ireland minnows Cobh Ramblers.

The central midfielder is part of the Canaries’ travelling party but continues to be heavily touted with a return north to Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

The Teessiders have yet to meet City’s valuation of their prized asset, leaving Howson’s long term future up in the air.

“Of course it is normal there will be speculation and rumours. I just want to concentrate on the guys I have here to work with,” said Farke. “I have said it a few times about Jonny Howson. I like him as a person, I love him as a player. I think he is a pretty good player who can play number six, eight and 10. In my opinion one of the best midfielders in the Championship and I would like to work with him longer. I know there are speculations and I don’t want to talk about them. It is part of the business. Jonny is my player. I appreciate him.”

The Pink Un: James McSweeney of Cobh Ramblers and Steven Naismith of Norwich City during the Pre-season Friendly match at St Colman's Park, CobhPicture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images Ltd +353 87234158405/07/2017James McSweeney of Cobh Ramblers and Steven Naismith of Norwich City during the Pre-season Friendly match at St Colman's Park, CobhPicture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images Ltd +353 87234158405/07/2017 (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

Farke did confirm Graham Dorrans’ Rangers switch is imminent.

“Right now for sure Graham left us on Tuesday. I don’t think there has been an official announcement but things have developed and I expect he will leave us,” he said. “It is not a secret that he has had a medical in Scotland and it could be pretty soon there is an announcement on a new club.”

The German is more interested in adding to his squad with Harrison Reed the latest signing on-loan from Southampton. Farke is also looking to bolster his backline with new recruit Christoph Zimmermann and Timm Klose playing 90 minutes at St Colman’s Park.

“It is quite fair to say we need new defenders. We didn’t have another centre back in the squad for this game,” he said. “It is one of the positions we need to think about. We need some more guys and hopefully we find them.

The Pink Un: Mario Vrancic of Norwich City during the Pre-season Friendly match at St Colman's Park, CobhPicture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images Ltd +353 87234158405/07/2017Mario Vrancic of Norwich City during the Pre-season Friendly match at St Colman's Park, CobhPicture by Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images Ltd +353 87234158405/07/2017 (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

“Harrison is a young player with high potential. I have watched several games of his in the last weeks and he is a technically good player who can play smart passes, build up a game and had a good education at Southampton. He is a pretty good fit for our squad. We have had some telephone calls in the last weeks and he is a nice guy. For now on he is a member of our squad and he will train for the first time with the lads on Thursday.”

The Pink Un: Daniel Farke has had plenty to think about over the summer. Picture: Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images LtdDaniel Farke has had plenty to think about over the summer. Picture: Lorraine O'Sullivan/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)