The non-international contingent of Norwich City's squad are set for a pre-season return today - kick-starting the Johannes Hoff Thorup era. 

Some have been back earlier during the week, but the bulk of City’s squad will report for the first time today. 

Monday will represent the start of formal training under Thorup and experienced assistant Glen Riddlesholm, and it will be a pivotal period for implementing their clear playing ideas and learning more about the squad. 

It will begin with a game against Stevenage next month before games against Northampton, Standard Liege, Club Brugge, Magdeburg and St Pauli. 

But it won't just be about getting in top shape for the new campaign - for some, it will be crucial to establishing their future. 

Ahead of the beginning of a pre-season campaign that will prove important for so many, we've picked out five who have plenty to play for during the preparations for the new Championship season. 

It's a big summer for Abu Kamara as he returns to Norwich City.It's a big summer for Abu Kamara as he returns to Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Abu Kamara

There has been so much said and written about Abu Kamara after a glistening loan spell at Portsmouth in their League One title triumph last season. 

Everything feels set for the young attacker to stake a real claim to be involved in Johannes Hoff Thorup's first-team squad next season providing he can take the form displayed at Fratton Park into this period. 

There is fierce competition ahead of him - Norwich do still have Jon Rowe, Borja Sainz, Christian Fassnacht and Onel Hernandez. He will need to edge his way past them and impress Thorup during this preparation period. 

You only have to cast your mind back to this time last season when Bali Mumba was in an almost identical situation that Kamara returns in. Everyone can recall how that ended as Norwich cashed in to sign Fassnacht from Young Boys. 

Kamara was somewhat of a triple threat at Pompey last season - he scored goals, set them up and was a ball carrier. 

Given his upward trajectory, age profile and skillset, Kamara feels like a player who will slot into Thorup's system pretty naturally. A positive pre-season will be the real test of that assumption. 

Onel Hernandez will be seeking to make up for lost time.Onel Hernandez will be seeking to make up for lost time. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Onel Hernandez

Injury ruled Onel Hernandez out of the last three months of a frustrating Championship campaign for the Cuban international. 

Now entering his eighth season in yellow and green, Hernandez will be just as determined as ever to prove his worth after plenty of doubts and failing to record the level of output he would have demanded of himself last term. 

David Wagner proved, in the backend of the 2022/23 campaign, that in the right conditions Hernandez can be threatening and get Norwich up the pitch. The key will be unlocking a level of attacking productivity that has eluded him for a prolonged period. 

Hernandez won't need reminding, but it'll be five years in October since his last goal at Carrow Road. His two assists in 30 games last season was a return that left the 31-year-old disappointed. 

He will need to show Thorup that he has a role to play in City's new era, especially with Kamara, Fassnacht, Rowe and Sainz all competing for those wide areas. It may be that the Cuban has to accept a role from the bench for starters. 

Anyone consuming his social media content can tell how much Hernandez adores Norwich - that feeling is mutual among the fanbase, but he will want to prove he has more gears to find. Pre-season will be a good place to make up for lost time. 

Shane Duffy will be seeking to build on a solid first year at Norwich City.Shane Duffy will be seeking to build on a solid first year at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Shane Duffy

Shane Duffy is the player chosen here - but it could have been Ashley Barnes, Grant Hanley or Kenny McLean in truth. 

There is plenty of discourse and debate around what the future holds for City's experienced contingent after Thorup's arrival with a fanfare of what it would mean for the young talent rather than those on the wrong side of 30. 

Thorup delivered a clear message to those older members of the squad about the role they had to play - after all, in Kian Hansen, City's boss put his faith in a 35-year-old defender at Nordsjaelland last term. 

Duffy felt his first year at Carrow Road was topsy turvy on the pitch - with a cloud having formed since his arrest prior to the play-off semi final first leg against Leeds United. 

Consistency and leadership will be components that Norwich will need to lead them through the inevitable challenges that will emerge as Thorup seeks to alter the playing style whilst lowering the average age. 

Duffy will need to showcase those attributes whilst proving he can adapt to the demands Thorup places on his defenders in terms of distribution. With younger players champing at the bit to replace him, he has plenty to play for over the next few months. 

It's another fresh start for Adam Idah at Norwich City.It's another fresh start for Adam Idah at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Adam Idah

It's another fresh start for Adam Idah at Norwich City. 

Thorup is desperate to see the Irishman perform in close quarters this pre-season, but for Idah it will be about dealing with constant noise over what the future may hold. 

In truth, Idah's success at staking his claim will rest on his shoulders - how does he feel about a return to Carrow Road? Can he bring the confidence unlocked at Celtic back to Norfolk? 

With Josh Sargent's future in doubt, Idah will start pre-season as City's starting striker with the American away at the Copa America. If he can deliver performances and goals similar to what he unearthed at Celtic, that will only crystallise Thorup's view that he has a significant role to play. 

Everyone at Norwich has seen it in bursts. Idah has talent. It will about whether he can shake off the previous criticisms and truly see this as a fresh start. 

There is an element of last chance saloon about this. The summer could still end with Idah unveiled in white and green hoops - but for Norwich, it feels like a win-win. Either they add a goalscorer or they cash in. 

The ball is truly in Idah's court. Ultimately, it will be him, and him alone, that decides his next chapter. 

Brad Hills will be hoping to make the most of his big Norwich City opportunity.Brad Hills will be hoping to make the most of his big Norwich City opportunity. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Brad Hills

Similarly to Kamara, Brad Hills returns to Carrow Road having recorded an impressive loan spell that saw him play regularly, including as captain, at League Two side Accrington Stanley. 

There was even a case for the boyhood Norwich fan to be included in the League Two team of the season, but Accrington's collective drop off saw him overlooked. His fundamental defensive data was impressive and consistent. 

Norwich will hand Hills the chance to impress Thorup in the early stages of pre-season - he revealed to the Pink Un in March that he was ready for the challenge of competing for his place in the squad. 

His physical stature is unquestionable, but Thorup will be keen to see whether he can stand up to the technical and tactical tests set for him. Hills certainly doesn't lack self confidence and is desperate to succeed at Carrow Road. 

With Duffy and Hanley for competition, it will be a difficult but not insurmountable task. In a new era that wants to be defined by pushing academy talent through, Hills will be handed a very real chance. 

Worst case, this proves too big of a hurdle for Hills at present and then Norwich will turn to the queue of League One clubs waiting in the wings. The 20-year-old is one to watch with serious interest this summer.