Chris Lakey Wes Hoolahan gave a swift response to questions about his Norwich City future yesterday - and says he will be starting the season at Carrow Road. The diminutive left-sided midfielder has been the subject of transfer speculation over the summer, with some reports linking him with a move to Crystal Palace as part of the attempt to bring striker Alan Lee to Norwich.

Chris Lakey

Wes Hoolahan gave a swift response to questions about his Norwich City future yesterday - and says he will be starting the season at Carrow Road.

The diminutive left-sided midfielder has been the subject of transfer speculation over the summer, with some reports linking him with a move to Crystal Palace as part of the attempt to bring striker Alan Lee to Norwich.

But the 27-year-old appears happy to stay with City.

Asked about the speculation, he said: "I don't know, I didn't even know I was linked."

Hoolahan said no other clubs approached him and that he was preparing to be a Norwich player at the start of the season.

"Yes, of course, definitely," he said.

The Republic of Ireland international missed the Championship run-in after sustaining ankle ligament damage in the home game against Plymouth in mid-March, but played just over 50 minutes of the pre-season opener at Dartford on Saturday and looks set to start this afternoon's friendly against St Johnstone at St Andrews University.

"That was my first in a few months and hopefully I get another few minutes on the pitch tomorrow," said Hoolahan yesterday, before heading out for the customary game of golf.

"It's been a good trip so far and the facilities and the training ground are good as well, and the weather is nice - which is unusual for Scotland.

"It's good team bonding session. We're here a week and the boys have the afternoon off so a few of them are playing golf and going to the pictures so you get to know the new players, it's a good thing."

Hoolahan's injury ruled him out for the final seven games of the campaign, but says it's time to look forward.

"It wasn't a nice thing, but these things happen and you have to move on and get on with things and look forward to next year," he said.

"I don't know whether I could have made a difference or not, you'd like to think so, but we got relegated so we have to concentrate on League One now and get us back in the Championship."