Johannes Hoff Thorup insisted the ball is now in Jon Rowe’s court after confirming the winger is not part of his Championship plans in the short term, after his Oxford absence amid transfer interest from Marseille.

Rowe is now training with the club’s Under-21 squad after informing Thorup on the eve of the league kick-off he was not ‘motivated’ to feature at the Kassam.

The 21-year-old, who is also being linked with Monaco, was not part of the first team squad that beat Stevenage 4-3 on Tuesday in the League Cup.

Thorup confirmed afterwards that will also be the case for Blackburn Rovers’ weekend league visit.

“He’s not under consideration for that game,” said the Dane. “After what happened last Saturday it was an easy decision for me to take, and we've had some conversations about it. It's a tough, tough decision, and it's a tough learning curve, but I can only focus on the team, or the players that are 100pc committed to be here, that are 100pc committed to perform for this fantastic club and for the fans and everyone supporting this club. That's where my focus is.

“It will never be a matter of names or quality or anything like that. It's only about culture in a club, and to be 100pc committed, and if you're not, then you cannot be a part of the team. And that was the decision we took. And at the moment, John is with the Under-21s.

 

Borja Sainz was on target in Norwich City's 4-3 Stevenage League Cup win (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“The best players in the history of football also made mistakes. So I think it's fair to say that if we see some behaviours from Jonny that are on the right path, and what we expect from a professional football player representing Norwich City, then, of course, at some point, we need to take another decision and have a conversation with him again on how we can take another step and how we can go forward.

“But, for now, I focus on the team and the players that are committed. That's where my focus will always be. We have a huge obligation to the fans and everyone supporting this club that wherever, and whenever we play, we have committed players who want to perform.”

Thorup spoke to the media after the game at Carrow Road.