Norwich City defender Adam Drury has backed his team-mates' international claims as the countdown to Euro 2012 begins.

New England boss Roy Hodgson names his 23-man squad for the tournament next Wednesday, when goalkeeper John Ruddy and top scorer Grant Holt will find out if their form for the Canaries has earned them a late ticket to Poland and Ukraine.

Drury, preparing for his testimonial match after 11 years at Carrow Road, said Holt should be picked on his form this season, with 14 Premier League goals.

'He's proved people wrong again this season,' said Drury. 'If you are going to take people then you should take people in form and he has been in form all season and been consistent.

'I don't think he will be overawed by the situation at all. He'd thrive on it. He is a big-match player and a big character. He is a great person to have around the squad as well.

'People see him as a big lump, I think that's what he gets labelled with a lot of the time. But if you look at his conversion rate of chances, it is pretty high, because he doesn't get loads of chances in games but he seems to take them, unlike in training when he misses most of them!

'He brings other people into play. His all-round game play is good as well. He will do a job for the team. It doesn't matter if he is scoring or not, he will still put a shift in for the team.'

Interviewed on Talksport, Drury also argued that Ruddy should be one of the three 'keepers in the squad.

'If Joe Hart is going to be the number one, then I can't see any reason why John Ruddy can't be one of the other two that are going to go as well,' he said.

Wes Hoolahan's absence from the Republic of Ireland squad has surprised many observers.

'It's been a while since Wes has been involved and every season the amount of assists and chances he creates for people, I thought he might have a role to play,' said Drury.

'But he's not been involved for a while so whether they'll wait until after the Euros I'm not sure. I think somebody of his quality and his talent should play – maybe the problem they've got is fitting him in the team.

'Anthony Pilkington has done a fantastic job as well and could be in with a shout when the World Cup qualifiers start.'

Drury praised City manager Paul Lambert for delivering the kind of success that has given him a second chance in the top flight.

'The last three years have been phenomenal, the rise from League One to the Premier League. I'd never have imagined it was going to happen,' he said.