Express & Star

Timely return for the West Brom family man James Morrison

During his 10-month wait for a Premier League start, there were two little things that kept James Morrison going.

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The 30-year-old is a family man now, with two children to keep him pre-occupied, a boy and a girl that provide perspective when the life of a footballer frustrates.

Last season, Morrison was an integral part of Albion's attack until he ruptured his hamstring in January at Stamford Bridge.

It ruled him out for the rest of the campaign and it was no coincidence the Baggies lost their mojo in the final third, failing to register shots on target against the bottom four.

He signed a two-year contract in the summer, and felt ready to play after pre-season, but Tony Pulis disagreed, and then Albion signed Nacer Chadli for £13million.

The Belgian's brilliant start to life in the Black Country pushed Morrison's return back further but on Sunday, Chadli was unavailable and the Scotland international came back with a bang.

"Once you come out the other side, it makes it worthwhile," he said. "Luckily I've got a family now.

"When I had it previously when I first joined the club with my heel injury I was virtually on my own so that was tough.

"Now I've got a family to keep me occupied, a little girl and a little boy, so they keep me up at night. That makes you switch off when times are hard. I've just been keeping my head down, waiting for my opportunity, trying to train hard and when I play do the best I can."

He certainly did that. Morrison opened the scoring in Albion's 2-1 win over champions Leicester on Sunday and gave the Baggies composure on the ball and craft in possession.

Now in his 10th season at The Hawthorns, for years he has been a regular. Being left out when fit was a predominantly alien concept, but one he's had to get used to.

"I've enjoyed the opportunity to get back playing," he said. "It's been a long time. I had a full pre-season under my belt, could have done with some better games.

"Going away with Scotland helped me massively, the training there. After the first international break I felt raring to go, but I had to wait and wait. Now it's come along so let's have it."

Morrison's also been left out of the Scotland team recently so his eye-catching return to the Albion side couldn't have come at a better time for his international prospects.

There's a huge match at Wembley this Friday, and the last time Scotland played the Auld Enemy under the arch, Morrison scored.

"I've spoken to Gordon (Strachan)," he confirmed. "He says I need to be playing regularly, which I can understand. It's a good opportunity now to hopefully get back into the team, coming up with a massive game with England.

"I would like to think I have a chance. Hopefully I will give the manager a headache.

"It was a great spectacle last time, Trafalgar Square and all that, the fans come together and the game was played in the right manner. I'm really looking forward it."

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