Canaries chief not worried by defender reports

Paul Lambert has played down fresh speculation linking defender Zak Whitbread with a possible move away from Norwich this summer.

The highly-rated 28-year-old central defender has been sidelined for the past month due to a calf injury which could keep him out until next season. However that has not stopped reports linking Whitbread with a possible move to a myriad of rival Premier League clubs, including Everton, Wigan and Sunderland. The American international will be out of contract in the summer and, while Lambert would not be drawn on his future, he confirmed talks would take place with all players regarding contracts at the end of the season in just over a week's time. Lambert told the Eastern Daily Press: "I haven't seen that (the speculation) but everyone is in the same boat. "The lads out of contract and the other ones I will speak to. If Zak is getting linked with other clubs there is nothing I can do about that. I'll leave all that until the end of the season, but I know what I am doing. "There are players we want to bring in as well, but we have to wait and see. I know exactly what is going on with the board and they are still committed to paying off the debt. "The club has to grow. It was in a dangerous position a few years ago. It still has a bit of debt hanging over it, but Norwich City football club is now safe. I'm not sure we could say that a few seasons ago."