Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has called on new England boss Sven Goran Eriksson to include him in his plans or face losing him to the Republic of Ireland. In an interview with BBC Radio 5 earlier this evening, Morrison revealed that Mick McCarthy had been in touch with him to inform him that he very much wants the Crystal Palace star in the Republic of Ireland squad. However, Morrison wants to see if he has a role in England's future before making up his mind on the matter.
"I will have to see what England are saying and then decide. Ireland have a friendly coming up, so it will be a hard decision. I will have to sit down and think about it. I have my heart set on Ireland or England. I would dearly like to play for England, but it is a hard decision to make at the moment. But it would be international football (with Ireland), and it looks as if they are going to the World Cup," explained Morrison.
Morrison qualifies for the Republic because he has an Irish grandmother. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a good run of form recently in the Nationwide First Division and also scored against Liverpool in the first leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final. However, he failed to make any impression in the return leg at Anfield during the week and with the strikers currently available to Eriksson, there is a good chance that Morrison may be persuaded to line out in the green jersey in the not too distant future.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
