Johannes Hoff Thorup dismissed any transfer-related conspiracy theory behind Adam Idah’s absence from an opening Norwich City Carrow Road pre-season friendly on Friday night in a 1-0 defeat to FC Magdeburg.

Idah has been heavily touted with a permanent move to Celtic after a loan stint that landed a league and cup double with the Bhoys.

The Republic of Ireland international was at Carrow Road but rested due to what Thorup labelled a ‘training knock’ in recent days.

Idah was joined in the stands by fellow strikers Josh Sargent and the injured Ashley Barnes, who recently underwent calf-related surgery.

Thorup confirmed afterwards the plan is for Idah and Sargent to feature in next week’s Austrian tour friendly against Hoffenheim.

“The transfer window is open and there will be a lot of rumours and speculations but the players are focused,” he said. “Most of the fans saw Adam here at the stadium in the open training session on Wednesday afternoon. But as you can see, he was also here again and watching the game as well.

“We have to be patient. With Adam it was just a small knock and of course no risks to be taken in the situation we're in now. No need for that. Josh is just about getting back into shape. He's training with the team but it is likely we give minutes to both of them in Austria next week.

"There's no need for us to do anything stupid at this stage, and it gave us the opportunity to see some other players in that position. Both some experienced players and some young players and it gave us some more answers.”

Barnes is set to miss the Championship kick-off.

“I think it's difficult for us to say now, of course, we did not hope for surgery and tried to do it without but it was unfortunately not possible,” said the City chief. “Everything went fine and he's okay, but we're looking, I will say a good handful of weeks I will say before he's back.”

Thorup’s first Carrow Road outing ended in defeat to the Bundesliga 2 opponents, after Baris Atik pounced on Borja Sainz’s loose back pass.

“We faced a team who were very man-orientated in their pressing, which caused us a little bit trouble,” he said. “But also opened up some good opportunities for us. A little bit of an unusual game because it's maybe only one or two out of every 10 games you play that might be what you face.

"I think overall when we put in the intensity that we needed we also got the reward. And when we were a little bit too passive, a little bit too slow, both on the ball and off the ball, we could also see we conceded chances.”

Thorup spoke to the media after the game on Friday night at Carrow Road.