You’ve probably heard the rumours that Alex Pritchard is set for a ‘sensational’ return to Norwich City this summer – don’t count on it.

Eastern Daily Press: Alex Pritchard in action for Norwich against Chelsea. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesAlex Pritchard in action for Norwich against Chelsea. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

Pritchard left the Canaries under a cloud in January 2018. City fans never saw the best of a player the club famously convinced to reject a move to Brighton in favour of a move to Carrow Road.

He was a player Daniel Farke was very much looking forward to working with when he arrived. However, a pre-season ankle injury at Cambridge in the summer of 2017 ruled him out for several months and after just a handful of games into his return he was suddenly off to Huddersfield in the January transfer window for £10m.

To say the player and his representatives’ conduct didn’t go down with the Canaries hierarchy would be an understatement.

Farke was looking forward to teaming Pritchard with an in-form James Maddison but as soon as the former Tottenham man was fit he was looking for a move to the Premier League.

Eastern Daily Press: Oliver Skipp clashes with Alex Pritchard during Norwich's 1-0 win over Huddersfield on the opening day of the season. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesOliver Skipp clashes with Alex Pritchard during Norwich's 1-0 win over Huddersfield on the opening day of the season. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedhttps://www.focus-images.co.uk+44 7813 022858)

MORE: How serious is Kieran Dowell’s injury?Huddersfield offered that route, albeit briefly – he was in the same division as City again a few months later.

City and Pritchard have been moving in different directions ever since. However, it’s no secret that Emi Buendia would welcome a Premier League move and, with uncertainty around Kieran Dowell’s injury, Norwich could look a little light in terms of playmakers if the Argentine was to move on.

Don’t bet on seeing Pritchard being brought in to fill any potential void though. Norwich place a lot of store in the character of the players they sign and Pritchard had his card marked in the way he forced a move away from Norwich.

Factor in as well that Pritchard hasn’t looked the player Norwich let go for a considerable amount of time and you gain an understanding of why a move back to Carrow Road is highly unlikely.