Wes Hoolahan is ready and willing to play his part in Norwich City's survival bid.

Canaries' boss Chris Hughton confirmed yesterday the Irishman is in the squad for Manchester City's Premier League visit after a long-running transfer saga ended with Hoolahan staying at Carrow Road. Hughton insists there will be no hangover from a stand-off that saw the Republic of Ireland international publicly state his desire to leave after the club rejected his transfer request following firm interest from Aston Villa.

'He has knuckled down well in training and he is a good professional. He will fight the same as everybody else for a place,' said Hughton. 'Yes, I've spoken to Wes and that was natural and he is very committed. We have a 14-game run now, as such, and he is very much up for the challenge. He is motivated, he has trained well and he is focused.

'He is still a very popular member of the group and he has done some wonderful things for the club so I have no fears that he will give everything he has got.'

Hoolahan had been linked with a potential Football League loan move to former club Blackpool in recent days but Hughton revealed there had been no inquiries for the Dubliner ahead of the emergency window, which opens officially later this week.

'No, there has been no interest. That is a new one for me and there is nothing in that. Wes is very much here and happy to fight for a place,' he said. 'He is in the squad for this weekend and we are all aware of what happened through the transfer window but the window is closed now, and we know and so does he what that really means.

'He is a player who will fight for his place, like all the other lads who are here. I'm sure Wes has the mental strength to cope with this situation. 'He is a very good footballer who has fred very well at this football club and what Wes experienced is not something new. Other footballers at other clubs have had to deal with the same things. The end product is always the same. You have a contracted player and these players want to train and they want to play. Sometimes circumstances can effect that, but the one certainty now is he will be here.'