Zak Whitbread would love to extend his stay at Norwich beyond the season, as the American centre-back aims to keep the Canaries in the Barclays Premier League.
The Texan-born Liverpool Academy graduate has impressed at the heart of the Norwich rearguard, combining well alongside both Daniel Ayala and Elliott Ward as Paul Lambert’s defensive options have been hit by injuries.
Whitbread, 28, signed from Millwall in January 2010, but saw his own progress hampered by a series of fitness problems as the Canaries won a second successive promotion.
Following some 14 appearances in the top flight as Norwich defied the pre-season predictions to sit comfortably in mid-table, Whitbread hopes to be given the chance to extend his stay in Norfolk when his current deal expires in the summer.
“I have just been a bit disappointed I couldn’t play a few more games than what I have, but it’s a great club, a great set-up, going in the right direction,” Whitbread said.
“I am just enjoying playing the games and if anything comes of it then that will be great.
“There have been no talks and I am not really worried about it.
“I am not focusing on it too much. I am just back from injury and I have just got to concentrate on playing.”
Whitbread, who was brought up in Runcorn, represented the United States Under 20s team at the 2003 World Youth Championship, but despite one call-up to the senior squad for the friendlies against Argentina and Paraguay in March 2011, which he had to withdraw through injury, the centre-back has not yet been included for further international consideration.
For now, though, Whitbread’s focus is solely on helping the Canaries – who have 35 points and are 13 clear of the relegation zone with just 11 games to play – retain their Premier League status and bounce back from successive defeats to Manchester United and Stoke when Wigan come to Carrow Road on Sunday.
“As a player, obviously you want to know you have got a future or a bit of stability, but football has changed,” Whitbread told reporters.
“You have got to get used to not having four or five-year contracts, and that at the end of the year anything could happen.
“You have got to take it game by game.
“It’s been stop-start over my time at Norwich, so for me I have just got to enjoy each game as it comes and make the most of the chances I get.
“I am desperate to stay in this league and I have got to work really hard with the rest of the lads to try and achieve that.”
England under-21 defender Ryan Bennett was an unused substitute at Stoke, having recently joined up with his new club after being loaned back to former side Peterborough following his January transfer.
The centre-half is relishing the challenges ahead. He said in the Eastern Daily Press: “I am 21 so there are a lot of players in and around my age here.
“The lads have been brilliant to me already and I hope we can continue that on the training pitch and stick together and get the results we need.”
Midfielder Jonny Howson made his first start since signing from Leeds after recovery from a knee injury, completing 75 minutes against the Potters and is likely to be in contention again this weekend.
