Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder says he will unleash Ravel Morrison against Blackburn Rovers in the Carabao Cup. Morrison joined the Blades in the summer on a one-year contract after impressing during a trial period. He last played for Ostersunds in Sweden and his incredibly varied career has seen him turn out for Lazio in Serie A and Atlas in the Mexican top flight.
However, he has been afforded a last chance by Wilder, who signed 10 players ahead of their return to the top flight after a 12-year absence. Morrison has not made the bench in either of club’s games so far this season as they drew at Bournemouth 1-1 and beat Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane 1-0 on Sunday.
However, speaking to the media, Wilder said that Morrison does have a part to play in their quest to stay up, and he will be given a first run out of the season when they face Blackburn in the Carabao Cup next week. “We talk about picking the side and it’s a difficult selection process for myself and picking the subs as well,” said the Blades boss.
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“Unfortunately Rav never made it. There’s competition to get onto the bench as well and we have to have that. “Rav has a big part to play. He’s ready, like the others, he’s played games in pre-season. There’s obviously a cup game to go at next week against Blackburn Rovers. We will utilise all the squad in that game.
“They’ve got to be ready. You never know what’s round the corner in football.” Morrison will be hoping his chance at the Blades is not just a flash in the pan, as one of the most talented players of his generation seeks a new start after a stop-start career littered by personal problems. Sir Alex Ferguson could not tame the Wythenshawe-born attacking midfielder and he was shipped out to West ham United under Sam Allardyce.
He then joined Birmingham on loan in 2012 in which he played the most consistent football of his career, and was compared by manager Lee Clark to Paul Gascoigne. Morrison returned to West Ham and scored a sensational solo goal against Tottenham in 2013, leading Allardyce to describe the moment as “genius”.
However, a series of court dates and legal troubles led to him being ostracised by managers, and after unsuccessful loans at QPR and Cardiff, he went to Italy to play for Lazio. Another loan at QPR followed before spells at Atlas and Sweden’s Ostersunds.
Morrison is finally back in England and will be one of many looking to make an impact in the Blackburn match. Wilder says the game is an ideal opportunity to rotate his squad, so summer signings Lys Mousset, Ben Osborn, and Mo Besic will be looking for their debuts.
