Hughton pays tribute to Hoolahan’s consistency

Norwich manager Chris Hughton has hailed the consistency this season of Wes Hoolahan, the Republic of Ireland international whose strictly limited appearances in the green shirt have been the source of a lot of the recent criticism aimed at Giovanni Trapattoni.

Hughton, himself a former Ireland international, believes Hoolahan has been one of the Canaries’ better performers throughout this Premier League campaign.

“I think Wes has played a lot of games this season,” said the manager. “One thing about Wes, and I have even found this in games he has played, is that in a period where he might not have done so much and I might be thinking about bringing him off and making a change, he’ll then have a 10-minute spell where he ups it and starts to influence the game again.

“I think Wes is very much that type of player. If I look at this season overall, I think he has been consistent and he has been good for us. With that type of player comes more influential moments than others, but he is a player who can get on the ball for us — whether it is to allow us to get into dangerous areas to have a strike on goal or just to control the balance of the game.”

Up in the Stadium of Light, and on the back of two wins, John O’Shea has said the Sunderland players are fully buying into the new management style of Paolo Di Canio.

Six points from three games have all but eradicated the controversy which surrounded the Italian’s appointment as successor to Martin O’Neill, with O’Shea highlighting the influence the manager has had on the players.

“It’s so important because the lads see what the manager prepares,” said Ireland’s centre-half, “whether it be little videos on the opposition, or little things he thinks we can hopefully take advantage of. When the lads see it happening in games and watch it back on videos, they really buy into what’s going on.”

Meanwhile, current Ireland U21 international midfielder Callum Reilly has been handed a new contract by Birmingham City. The 19-year-old has made 19 appearances for the club, scoring his first goal for the Blues in the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town in January.

Hull’s Irish trio eye Premier League return

Republic of Ireland internationals David Meyler, Robbie Brady and Paul McShane could be in the Premier League again by 10pm tonight.

The Hull trio, and former Republic of Ireland U21 international, will secure second spot in the Championship tonight should third-placed Watford lose at play-off chasing Leicester City tonight.

Hull are currently four points clear of Watford and even if Gianfranco Zola’s side do win tonight the Tigers can clinch promotion if they defeat Barnsley at Oakwell tomorrow.

Should Hull go up it will mark a swift return to Premier League football for Meyler and Brady. The duo joined the Tigers on permanent deals from Sunderland and Man United respectively in January.

- Darren Norris