Five players are to be released by Norwich City at the end of the season. Matthieu Louis-Jean, Peter Thorne, Paul McVeigh, Ian Henderson and Andrew Fisk will not be asked to renew their contracts after June 30.

Five players are to be released by Norwich City at the end of the season.

Matthieu Louis-Jean, Peter Thorne, Paul McVeigh, Ian Henderson and Andrew Fisk will not be asked to renew their contracts after June 30.

City boss Peter Grant told the club's official website: "I just felt the way the team is structured that there are a few players playing in similar positions. I felt I would be holding Paul's career back and I hope he can go on elsewhere and do exceptionally well. He has been 100 per cent professional since I came here and I think he has proved that again in his time with Burnley."

Paul McVeigh joined the Canaries from Spurs and made his City debut in May 2000. He went on to make 236 appearances (75 as a substitute) and scored 40 goals before joining Burnley on loan towards the end of this season.

Defender Matthieu Louis-Jean has been plagued by a serious hamstring injury throughout his City career since joining in an exchange deal with Nottingham Forest in July 2005 which saw Gary Holt move in the other direction.

After just two games in a City shirt at the start of the 2005-06 season, Louis-Jean suffered a torn hamstring muscle which kept him out of action for the rest of the season. Despite months of battling to get back to full fitness, he never made another first team appearance and will be returning to France.

Peter Thorne joined City on a free transfer from Cardiff City in the summer of 2005 with an impressive goalscoring record at Stoke and the Bluebirds in particular to his name.

He made a total of 23 appearances for City (10 as a sub) and scored one goal.

Grant said: "Peter has been a terrific pro. He picked up an injury early in the game at Preston on his comeback from injury so it was very, very difficult for him and I felt for him because he was working so hard. I have no doubt he could be a major asset to someone else in the division and I wish him nothing but the best."

Thetford-born midfielder Ian Henderson is a product of the Norwich City Academy and gained England representative honours at youth level while at Carrow Road. He made a total of 75 appearances (46 as sub) for City's first team and scored six goals. He joined Rotherham on loan in January and has made 17 appearances for the Millers.

'Hendo' always displayed commitment and tenacity when called upon for City and Grant said of the 22-year-old: "I felt that if we extended his contract we would be clogging his career up and it is important for him that he plays games. I'm very pleased with the way he has performed but I felt it was time for a fresh start and I wish him nothing but success."

Another Academy product, midfielder Andrew Fisk's combative tackling and neat passing for City's young side earned him a professional contract in 2006. However he was unable to force his way into first team contention and has received many plaudits for his performances while on loan with King's Lynn this season.

"Fisky's attitude has been fantastic," commented Grant. "I know he has done exceptionally well at King's Lynn and I wouldn't be surprised if he stays in the league as he has the ability to do that."