Paul Lambert may have made up his mind about Norwich's out-of-contract stars – but his players will remain in the dark until Premier League safety is assured.

The City boss admitted he was 'annoyed' at speculation experienced centre backs Zak Whitbread and Elliott Ward, along with striker Aaron Wilbraham, will not be offered new deals in the summer. Lambert knows transfer chatter is inevitable, but the City boss still plans to reassure the trio ahead of tomorrow's latest game against Wolves.

'That is the thing that annoyed me the most. Unless I tell them, then fine, because the only opinion that matters is mine and I haven't said anything to any of the lads about what happens,' he said. 'I know exactly what will happen. I know that when players are out of contract then it automatically starts that this player is going to leave, or that one, or that player is going to be brought in. It's like anything when a transfer window opens or closes, its like us going for (Miroslav) Klose at Bayern Munich last summer. It is just incredible. It is pure fabrication.'

Lambert insists securing the club's Premier League status takes precedence after reports all three were 'unlikely' to be offered a Carrow Road extension beyond their current contracts.

'I know the story you are talking about, but I don't know where that has came from. It is wrong for people to say that. I haven't even spoken to the lads themselves yet,' he said. 'You can't stop people from having an assumption about who is going to move and who isn't. That is fine, but when you are naming people like that who I haven't even spoken to, I think that was wrong. I haven't read it. I was told about it. It is wrong because I haven't said anything to anybody about what is happening at the football club. Nobody knows anything about what is going to happen in May-time.'

Lambert also confirmed no talks have taken place regarding permanent moves away for current loan trio Korey Smith, Tom Adeyemi and George Francomb.

'It was just important for those lads to get first team football,' he said. 'Tom at Oldham, Korey at Barnsley and George playing up in Scotland it is doing them the world of good. They are doing fine, which is great for their development. If they were here they would just be training and playing with the reserves.'