Morrison set to return to action tomorrow

Clinton Morrison will launch his Birmingham City comeback on Tuesday – with Steve Bruce convinced he can deliver goals at Barclays Premiership level.

The Republic of Ireland international will play for the reserves against Middlesbrough at Billingham after a month on the sidelines following a cartilage operation.

His return to action is a much needed boost for Bruce who has only two strikers in Emile Heskey and Dwight Yorke at his disposal.

The Blues have managed just eight goals in 13 league games this season and Morrison has also struggled to transform the prolific form he showed for Crystal Palace into the top flight since his move in the summer of 2002.

But Bruce’s faith in Morrison is not wavering and, if he comes through Tuesday’s run-out successfully, he could be in contention for Saturday’s vital game with fellow strugglers Blackburn.

Bruce said: “Clinton played 30-odd games when he came into the team last season after Christophe Dugarry decided he was homesick and did very well.

“Maybe he didn’t get the goals he would have liked but his overall game was good and he has improved immensely.

“He just needs to get on a little bit of a goalscoring run which unfortunately has never quite happened for him but I’ve got every confidence that it will come.

“His record in the First Division before we bought him was second to none. He had 25 goals a season for three seasons and his record for Ireland is 10 goals in around 20 appearances.

“We all know it is there and let’s hope he stays injury free, has a bit of a run and gets a few goals for us.”

Midfielder David Dunn is expected to return to training after having the stitches removed from the achilles injury which has sidelined him for the last four games.