Morrison seeks loan move

13 April 2012

Clinton Morrison will ask Birmingham boss Steve Bruce for a loan move as he seeks the first-team football required to further his international ambitions.

Two goals in the Republic of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifying games against Cyprus and Switzerland have propelled Blues striker Morrison into the limelight.

Morrison is understandably hoping his performances will have come to the attention of Bruce, who recently strengthened his forward line with the capture of Dwight Yorke from Blackburn.

The reality for Morrison, though, is that with £6.25million England international Emile Heskey, Mikael Forssell and now Yorke in the Birmingham squad, he has effectively dropped down the pecking order to fourth choice.

Morrison knows if he is to retain his starting place under Republic manager Brian Kerr, he needs to be playing regularly at club level, which would appear unlikely at St Andrews.

It means the 25-year-old will now seek a loan deal, although Morrison will have to drop into the Coca-Cola Championship because with the transfer window closed, he is not allowed to join another Barclays Premiership club until it re-opens in January.

Bruce, though, has refused Morrison such a chance in the past and there is the worry he will do so again, although Yorke's arrival may afford him the opportunity.

"I'm as confident now as I've ever been in my career and hopefully when I get back to Birmingham I can kick on," said Morrison, whose eighth-minute opener against Switzerland in the 1-1 draw in Basle last night was his seventh international goal in 24 appearances.

"It will be hard to get into the team, but after these two games under my belt and the two goals I've scored, I'm hoping I will have given Steve Bruce food for thought.

"Whether I've done enough to merit a place in the starting line-up is up to the manager because I've not really done it for Birmingham yet.

"All I can keep doing is playing well for my country when selected and give Steve a problem.

"But I know between now and the game with France next month [October 9] I need to get some matches under my belt because that is going to be a big game.

"I need to be match sharp, and then we've the Faroe Islands after that. I can ask to go on loan and do something, but I doubt if he will let me because he has told me before he won't let me go on loan.

"It makes it difficult for me, so that means I just have to get in the team."
Morrison certainly believes he merits another chance with City, and is hoping his success in helping the Irish take four points from their two Group Four matches will have silenced his critics.

"It was pleasing to score again and hopefully people will stop giving me stick about not scoring goals because I know I can score," added Morrison.

"You hear things, and I'm not really fussed about it. It's just at the back of your mind.

"But people can give me as much stick as they want. I'll just let my feet do the talking and I know in the end my ability will come through.

"It's just a confidence thing and hopefully I can keep going now. After scoring on Saturday that helped my confidence.

"I took that into the game last night and I now believe every time I step onto the pitch I will score goals."

A further goal in the Stade de France would surely be a highlight for Morrison, who feels Ireland can take advantage of the transitional period the French are currently going through, and the fact skipper Patrick Vieira will be suspended.

"We'll go there with the intention of winning, but we would be happy to come away with a point because France are the favourites to win the group," said Morrison.

"But I fancy our chances because we've started this group well and we'll be buzzing with Patrick out. He is a big loss to the French.

"It will still be difficult because they have plenty of world-class players, but without Patrick I think we've a much better chance and we go there full of confidence after these two results this week."

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