Wes Hoolahan is remaining upbeat on his chances of forcing his way into the Norwich City starting line-up. Hoolahan has not lost faith in his ability and is confident he will prove a success at Carrow Road.

Wes Hoolahan is remaining upbeat on his chances of forcing his way into the Norwich City starting line-up.

Hoolahan has not lost faith in his ability and is confident he will prove a success at Carrow Road.

“It is hard when you aren't in the team because every footballer wants to play,” he said.

“You love the game and you want to play, but I am only there a few months and I'll have to bide my time. Once I get a run of matches I feel I'll do OK.

“I wasn't in the squad last weekend. It is a big club and it takes a bit of time to settle in.”

Hoolahan, who played the first 45 minutes last night in the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 friendly victory over Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park, is similarly optimistic that City can quickly turn their season around.

“Things aren't going as well for us as we would have hoped. The plan would really have been to be fighting for a play-off position. But that is still what we want,” he said.

Manager Glenn Roeder said he wanted the players out of the side to battle back.

He said: “They've all got to fight for their places. By his own admission, Wes hasn't hit the heights that he did at Blackpool. He needed a run out in the reserves the other night, like Cureton needed a run out, like Lupoli did, otherwise they're losing match practice.”