Daniel Farke has had his say on transfer speculation around Timm Klose's exit and a move for Dijon striker Julio Tavares.

Klose has been touted with a return to the Bundesliga with Hannover 96 chief Martin Kind revealing talks are on going ahead of the August 31 deadline.

Farke, however, insists the centre back is crucial to his plans and in the right frame of mind to tackle Alex Neil's men at Carrow Road on Wednesday.

'We need Timm to be really focused on his job against Preston.

'Not a problem,' said Farke. 'Yes, of course he is in my thoughts. For me, the player with the biggest consistency in the defensive row. He is desperate also to play for Norwich City.

'To be honest I don't want to comment too much. There is no time with the games for rumours or speculation. It is always a good sign when a player of ours is linked to a really good club.

'That shows this player has some quality and a good reputation. In general, we cannot think about such things.

'We have to focus on the games coming up. I would say Timm is an unbelievably important player for us. He is a leader in our group.'

MORE: Have your say on our Pinkun forumKlose has been the stand out for Farke in a defence which has leaked too many league goals already.

'In the beginning of the season perhaps the most consistent player in our defence, because some of the others have struggled with injuries or missed pre-season,' said Farke.

'Tim Krul, missed most of pre-season. Grant Hanley, the same, and I got the feeling he was struggling with his rhythm in the first game.

'He is coming back now, Jamal Lewis was out nearly all pre-season and Ivo Pinto has been in and out. We just have to be focused on the next game, because they are coming every three days.

'I am not worried or concerned about offers for our players.'

Farke also poured cold water on reported interest in Dijon hot shot Tavares.

'I normally don't comment on rumours or speculation but believe me in this business sometimes an agent or a club wants to be there and create a rumour to deal a bit with the prices,' he said. 'Not each and every piece of news is there with some truth.

'I mentioned it several times before. I know many, many strikers across Europe but I am totally pleased with my strikers.

'They are all able to score and we have some we have not used, like Nelson (Oliveira) or Carlton Morris, who we hope can return in a few weeks.'