Express & Star

James Morrison's future to be decided at end-of-season meeting

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James Morrison's future will be decided at an end-of-season meeting with West Brom, as rumours circulate that he's keen to return to former club Middlesbrough.

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The 29-year-old midfielder and his agent met with Director of Football Administration Richard Garlick last week and agreed to sit down and make a decision once the season was over in just over two weeks' time.

Morrison has been at the Baggies for nine years and made over 275 appearances for the club but his contract ends this summer.

Injured since January, he played 45 minutes in an under-21s friendly on Tuesday but won't feature in today's match against West Ham.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis refused to say whether he wanted to keep Morrison or Stephane Sessegnon, who's also out of contract this summer.

Asked if he wanted the midfield duo to stay at The Hawthorns, Pulis answered: "The big thing is whether we can afford to keep them and whether the players want to stay.

"Irrespective of what I think or what the chairman thinks, everybody within a deal has to want to be part of what we're doing and that's very important.

"James has been here a long time so he knows what the football club is and what it's about. He's been a great servant, he's a top player.

"But it has to be right for James, it has to be right for the football club."

Morrison and Sessegnon could leave the club on frees this summer even though both midfielders are first-team regulars when fit.

Sessegnon has made 30 appearances this season and Morrison featured in 19 games before he ruptured his hamstring against Chelsea.

"Nothing's been sorted out so that is obviously ongoing," said Pulis

"That will be done in the next couple of weeks I should imagine, one way or the other.

"James has missed games since the Chelsea game so he's been out for quite a while, but his attitude around the place has been first class.

"He's training well, unfortunately it's taken a little bit longer than what we thought and what he thought.

"Contractual issues and dealings will be done with Richard and the players and the player's agents so thank goodness I can stay out of that."

Asked if Morrison wanted a new challenge after so many years at one club, Pulis said: "You better speak to him, I don't know.

"I've spoken to him on numerous occasions and he's a good lad. He's a bit deadpan at times, but he's a really good lad."

Morrison was born in Darlington and is a product of the Middlesbrough academy, starring in their FA Youth Cup winning side of 2004.

Boro could win promotion to the Premier League this season, but boss Aitor Karanka has already confirmed he wants to sign Southampton loanee Gaston Ramirez on a free this summer.

The North East team are also interested in midfielder Lee Cattermole should Sunderland get relegated.