Morrison still frustrated

Soccer NewsIreland international striker Clinton Morrison is prepared to sign a new contract with Birmingham in the summer, but he remains eager to defy critics who continue to doubt his ability.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce conceded earlier this week he had let down the striker by relegating him to the bench following the transfer-window arrivals of Robbie Blake and Walter Pandiani.

Despite scoring four goals in five matches at the end of last year, Morrison finds he is again fourth-choice forward at St Andrews and striving to fight off the newcomers - as he has so often done in the past.

Yet Bruce insists he does not want Morrison to quit and is willing to sit down with the 25-year-old at the end of the season to discuss a contract extension. Morrison is happy to do that, but is most anxious to make sure he is playing matches.

Wednesday night's outing for the Republic of Ireland in the 1-0 friendly win over Portugal at Lansdowne Road gave him a much-needed run-out, and he said afterwards: "I'm disappointed over what's happened at Birmingham and I've made that known to the manager. But I'm not going to sulk and start ranting and raving and having a go at him. All I can do is carry on working hard in training, showing him what I can do and - when I come on as a sub - show him I should be in the team. That's the bottom line.

"I know I was in great form in December. Emile (Heskey) and I had a great partnership - and although I wasn't scoring in January, I was creating loads of goals.

"I still feel now I'm on top of my game and that I could take it to another level and carry on scoring."

Thankfully for Morrison, Ireland manager Brian Kerr has always retained faith in his ability.

"Clinton has fought off opposition at Birmingham since he has been there. Although the names have changed, he remains," said Kerr. "If he maintains the form he has recently shown for Birmingham - and for us, because he had a smashing game - then I think he will be okay."

While Ireland's World Cup qualifying opponents France failed to snatch a much-needed home victory in their 1-1 draw with Sweden, they showed encouraging signs of reproducing the form that took them to world and European success.

Striker David Trezeguet, back from a six-month injury lay-off, constantly bothered the Swedish defence and rekindled the dangerous striking partnership with Arsenal's Thierry Henry that was lacking during Euro 2004.

The performance of the pair, however, confirmed that France will need both to be in top form to ensure they qualify for next year's finals in Germany.

"I don't want to name any player," coach Raymond Domenech said. "But I'm satisfied with what I saw. We showed more will, more pace and much more inspiration than any of the previous matches we have played since I'm here."

While Zinedine Zidane's influence can not be replaced, AC Milan midfielder Vikash Dhorasso proved an adequate replacement in the playmaker's role.

"It's nothing new to me," Domenech said. "I knew what Vikash was worth. It was just a matter of giving him the chance to prove himself on the pitch."

Domenech must also be impressed by the defensive midfield performances by captain Patrick Vieira and Benoit Pedretti, with the Marseille player more than proving his selection with his workrate and coolness under pressure.