Agent: Grant Holt not given contract because of age

The agent of Grant Holt has claimed that Norwich City told the striker he would not be given a three-year contract because of his age.

Holt has been heavily linked with a move away from Carrow Road after handing in a transfer request and his representative has revealed that the 31-year-old's age was the reason behind contract negotiations breaking down.

Lee Payne told BBC Radio Norfolk: "David [McNally, chief executive] bluntly turned around and said 'you're too old so forget a third year'.

"We felt we had to speak up because I've seen a lot of comments from fans giving Grant absolute pelters and it's just not fair."

The Canaries are searching for a new manager after Paul Lambert was confirmed as the new Aston Villa manager.