Coventry City chase down Clinton Morrison

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COVENTRY City manager Chris Coleman is chasing down out of contract Crystal Palace star Clinton Morrison.

After signing Freddy Eastwood from Wolves last week the Sky Blues boss immediately turned his attention to teaming him up with Morrison, who is also wanted by QPR and Reading.

Coventry City chairman Ray Ranson confirmed: "We are still interested in Clinton Morrison, although nothing is imminent. But we are interested in quality players."

However, Chris Coleman has to trim his existing squad to make way for the out of contract Crystal Palace striker, which means getting big earners like Kevin Kyle off the wage bill to facilitate it.

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COVENTRY CITY are leading the chase for out-of-contract Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, who has flown out to Switzerland to join their pre-season training camp.

Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman is eager to link up the proven Championship goal-scorer with new recruit Freddy Eastwood.


Although he is wanted by a host of clubs in the division, the 29-year-old has put Coventry at the top of his list, and Coleman is set to give him a run-out in tonight’s friendly against Romanian outfit FC Brasov.

The City boss knows Morrison from his days at Selhurst Park, where he and Leon McKenzie acted as boot-boys for Coleman and Richard Shaw.

“I would love to bring him here and we just have to see the way this week goes,” said Coleman.

“Clinton is a free agent at the moment. He has had one or two offers from other clubs in our division but I have had a chat with him and we are obviously looking to improve the squad.

“He scored 17 goals last year and knows the division and if we can get him, then great. He has got other options but I had a chat with him and invited him to come away with us to Switzerland.

“It’s a chance for him to see if he likes us and for us to see whether we like him. Ability wise and experience wise it’s a no brainer really.

“We are in good company in terms of other clubs that want him, but he is away with us at the moment. He trained really well yesterday in what was his first session and I might give him a little 20 minute run out tonight.

“He hasn’t been training with anyone over the last two weeks but he has scored goals at this level, he knows this division and if it is possible to do a deal with Clinton then that’s what we will do.

“The fact that he is here is maybe a feather in our cap because he has chosen to come to Switzerland with us rather than anyone else.”

Asked whether he was confident that he could convince the centre-forward to join the Ricoh Arena,

Coleman said: “I was confident four months ago that I would sign Freddy Eastwood. We eventually got him but, football being football, anything can happen. But I would love to have him

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CLINTON MORRISON has given a clear indication that he wants to sign for Coventry City.

The 29-year-old striker insists he wouldn't waste his time training with the Sky Blues if he wasn't serious about joining the club, leaving manager Chris Coleman in pole position to beat off competition from a number of Championship rivals.

Morrison was given a 19 minute run out in a bad tempered pre-season match against Romanian side FC Brasov last night which City lost 3-1 but the former Crystal Palace forward who is a free agent said afterwards: "I'm delighted to be training here with the boys.

"It has been well known that Coventry want to sign me and the manager kindly invited me to come and have a look at the club, work with the lads and see what the set-up is like and I have really enjoyed it since I hooked up with them.

"I know the gaffer well and he's exactly the sort of manager I want to play for, and that's the reason why I wanted to come over here to Switzerland with Coventry.

"He is a very good manager and the first time I spoke with him last week he said he just wants me to come out and play football, and that's all I want to do in this league. I know what you need to get out of it and that's by playing good football.

"So hopefully when we get back we can get something sorted out. It would be a good club to join. They are a good bunch of lads and the coaching staff seem really good too.

"I have got options but I would say Coventry are leading the way because they have shown the most commitment and the manager has shown great commitment that he wants to sign me, so yes, Coventry are definitely leading the way.

"As I said, I have got a few options of where to go but at the moment Coventry are leading it otherwise I wouldn't waste my time coming all the way out here. So I am enjoying it."