Following the signing of Kenny Cunningham on Tuesday, Birmingham City manger Steve Bruce has installed Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison as his number one striker target. Bruce wants to bring the Republic of Ireland international, who played for him during his time at Selhurst Park, to St Andrew's with Birmingham's Andrew Johnson possibly going in the other direction.
Bruce's preference for Morrison is why he has not moved for Polish striker Emmanuel Olisadebe, despite having agreed at £3.3million fee with the player's Greek club Panathinaikos. But if Palace refuse to accept Birmingham's bid of £3million plus Johnson for the £5million-rated Morrison then Bruce will complete his move for Olisadebe.
After signing Wimbledon defender Cunningham, to add to midfield captures Robbie Savage and Aliou Cisse, Bruce admitted he was close to knowing which striker would be joining his Premiership new boys. However, Bruce insisted: "What people don't tend to understand, though, is that you have a first choice yet you must also have in mind alternatives."
Filed by Shane Murray
