Norwich City have opened contract talks with Wes Hoolahan to keep the Republic of Ireland international at Carrow Road beyond the new season.

Hoolahan is one of a number of senior players entering the final year of current deals but reports earlier this week the Dubliner was poised to pledge his future to the club until 2017 are wide of the mark, with discussions still on-going between both parties.

Defender Ryan Bennett signed a new longer term contract in recent days and Neil Adams made it clear during pre-season he wants the likes of Hoolahan and fellow midfielder Andrew Surman to play major roles in City's Championship promotion bid.

The 32-year-old appeared ready to leave after a public fall-out with the Canaries in January, which saw a transfer request rejected following firm interest from Paul Lambert's Aston Villa.

Hoolahan was a peripheral figure in Norwich Premier League relegation struggle under previous manager Chris Hughton, making just 10 Premier League starts, but City's longest-serving player is now firmly back in the fold under Adams.

'Wes knows what I think of him. He is a fabulous player and we have seen that in the pre-season games. On his day he is unplayable,' said the City boss, speaking about his playmaker only last week. 'His application this summer has been excellent.

'He is happy. I have spoken to him numerous times, as you do to a player you want to keep and I make no bones about that. I want to keep Wes Hoolahan because I know what he can do. He is playing in a position that suits him.'