Morrison animosity won’t faze Dowie

IAIN DOWIE will not allow fans’ feelings to derail his attempt to bring Clinton Morrison back to Crystal Palace.

Palace are expected to complete the signing of their former striker from Birmingham today after Morrison arrived at the club’s training ground yesterday to undergo a medical ahead of his reported €3 million switch.

Morrison has been poorly received by Palace supporters when he has returned to Selhurst Park with Birmingham in the past - but Eagles boss Dowie insisted such animosity would not affect his decision.

Dowie said: “I wouldn’t take the reaction of the fans as a swaying factor in which player I sign. As a manager you have to brave enough to make decisions you think are right.

“Decisions made on the transfer front will be what I consider to be right for the club. But I would be amazed if he didn’t get a good reaction when he comes back to the club. He has scored a lot of goals for the club and he deserves a good reaction.”

Dowie’s stance is in stark contrast to West Ham manager Alan Pardew, who revealed earlier this month he had abandoned plans to bring back former Tottenham striker Fredi Kanoute to the club after the move had prompted hostility among supporters. Kanoute subsequently joined Sevilla.

Palace appear to have won the race for Morrison, 26, who scored 71 goals in five seasons during his first spell at the club.

The Republic of Ireland international was also courted by Palace’s Championship rivals Southampton and Norwich.

He left Palace in July 2002 to join Birmingham in a deal worth €6.2m, but never really showed his best form, scoring just 14 times in 87 league appearances.

But Dowie’s assistant manager Neil McDonald revealed earlier in the week Morrison was precisely the type of player Palace were seeking. He said: “Clinton Morrison is an international footballer who scores goals.

“We need a player like that - someone who can work in the box and put the ball in the back of the net.”

Should he complete his move, Morrison would link up in attack with England striker Andrew Johnson, who joined Palace as part of the deal that took Morrison to St Andrews.

Dowie added: “Clinton is a good player and we would love to add players to our squad. Don’t forget the club received nearly £5m when he was sold in the first place.”