Wes Hoolahan is a one-of-a-kind declared Norwich City boss Neil Adams ahead of the midfielder's weekend return to old club Blackpool in the Championship.

The 32-year-old made 88 league appearances for the Seasiders prior to moving to Carrow Road in 2008 and City's longest-serving player remains a key part of Adams' promotion strategy.

The Republic of Ireland international was substituted during last week's 2-2 Championship draw against Birmingham after a rare off-day and rested for the midweek Capital One Cup defeat at Shrewsbury, but Adams insists the Dubliner will bounce back in typical fashion.

'Wes is pretty much a unique player. I can't think of anyone who has the same style as him or the same qualities,' said Adams. 'You have players who are sharp and tricky but Wes is a different breed in terms of what he can add to a team. He was poor in his last game, he knows that, which is why we took him off and he was one of the first to hold his hands up and say he wasn't at it.'

Hoolahan was included in Martin O'Neill provisional Irish squad earlier this week for upcoming Euro2016 qualifiers.

'He is an exceptional player, he is a game winner for you, he can destroy oppositions when he is on it,' he said. 'Last week he was off the pace and that is the frustrating thing sometimes with him but taking that 45 minutes aside he has been excellent for me this season.'

City look set to face a familiar foe at Bloomfield Road with former academy keeper Joe Lewis on loan from Cardiff.

'Joe was a great keeper here and you could see he had every chance of being a professional and playing at first team level,' said Adams. 'He had to move away from here to get that but he was a hungry young man. He had that talent and there was no gamble. You could see Joe would have a good career in the game but he will understand if I say I hope he doesn't play well Saturday.'

Norwich head to Blackpool looking for a fourth consecutive away league win for the first time since 1996.

'It got to a stage where supporters were going away from home and not expecting Norwich to pick a point up or pick three points, so we're really pleased with how it's been,' said Adams. 'Blackpool is another great opportunity, there are three points there waiting to be taken.'