Grant Holt says he is not surprised by the transfer speculation surrounding Canaries keeper John Ruddy – and says it is the price the club are paying for their success.

Ruddy has reportedly been the subject of interest from Premier League giants Chelsea, with reports claiming that Blues boss Jose Mourinho is preparing to raise the initial £5m bid for a player who has played an integral role in City's climb and current two-season stay in the top flight.

Holt has seen Ruddy go from unwanted loan player at Everton three years ago, to a place in the England squad, although injury has interrupted his international ambitions.

'He has definitely got better and better,' said Holt. 'He had a massive disappointment this year when he did his thigh which hampered him for a long, long spell. That probably brought the wheels to a halt a little bit with the England thing, but he has come on leaps and bounds and it is no shock other clubs are interested in him.

'We know what kind of goalkeeper we have got there and I am sure that is why his name is getting mentioned with the so-called bigger clubs.

'The club will be desperate to keep him, we all want him to stay - we have a fantastic number one and number two as well in Mark Bunn, so the club is in a great position.

'The club becomes a victim of its own success. You get these young lads in, you breed them, you do well and people want to take them off you.

'If someone offers silly money then in one way we are established but in another way they can't really afford to turn down too much money. It is good, but a lot of our lads have been linked to different places and different teams.'