Hoolahan admits he has one eye on the World Cup. But, for now, it's City that comes first

Tues 17 Nov 09

Whilst getting City back into the Championship will be at the top of his agenda, Wes Hoolahan has revealed that he has one eye on a possible World Cup appearance next summer.

The Irishman is in the best form of his Canary life and with eight goals so far, he's scoring as well as creating. And with Ireland still in with a shout of qualifying through the play-offs, Hoolahan admitted it was on his mind.

"Obviously you think about things like that. But I have to keep playing well for Norwich and putting in good performances and you never know, next year," said the 27-year-old, who will be watching this Wednesday's France vs Ireland second leg with great interest.

But the former Blackpool man was happy to concentrate on the here and now in Norfolk. After that, what will be, will be.

"I've just got to keep doing well with Norwich, playing well and getting us up a division and back into the Championship where we belong.  You never know what happens after that."

Hoolahan, who won his first Ireland cap in last May's friendly with Colombia at Craven Cottage, was speaking to the media after Saturday's 2-0 success over Tranmere Rovers. And he was happy with the way they coped with Rovers' stubborn rearguard – something the Canaries are going to have to get used to.

"They threw something different at us and they stopped us playing at times. But we came out for the second half and played a bit better and passed the ball quicker.

"It was difficult in the first half though. I think they came here with a game plan and they did well and you could see the second half we were getting more into it.

"I think they were getting tired and a few of the boys were getting cramps on the other team - obviously they were working themselves very hard in the first half and we have just got to keep playing and playing and grinding them down and eventually we got the goal.   Part 2 >>