Chris Hughton says Wes Hoolahan should ‘knuckle down’

Norwich City manager Chris Hughton says he expects Wes Hoolahan to "knuckle down" now that the transfer window is closed.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder requested a transfer in January but, despite a bid form Aston Villa offering him a chance to be reunited with former boss Paul Lambert, a move never materialised because Norwich refused to sell.

The former Shelbourne man was then left out of the squad for the defeat to Cardiff City last weekend. However, former Ireland international Hughton insists he still has a role to play at Carrow Road.

“It is business as normal,” said Hughton today. “Everyone knows what the facts are with Wes. There was a bid for him and he did put in a transfer request. He is not the first who wanted to leave a football club and it then hasn’t happened.

“Players have to knuckle down and train and want to be involved and I expect Wes to be no different. We travelled down to Wales on Friday and all our concentration was on the game so I didn’t speak to him before the window closed. I will speak to him and treat him like I would all the other players.

“He is still with us and I will make sure I have good communications. At this moment he is very much a Norwich City player. Wes is contracted to the club. I expect him to knuckle down.”

Hughton declined to comment on reports Hoolahan reacted angrily to the club’s refusal to let him leave.

“It’s not a question of anyone being disruptive,” he said. “He wanted to go, but it didn’t happen. The deadline has gone, but I want to stress that before the offer came in originally he had been involved over the Christmas period.

“Albeit perhaps he hasn’t had the run of games he would have liked earlier in the season. Wes is a good enough individual and he knows he has to get on with it.”