Morrison yet to decide

Clinton Morrison, the young Crystal Palace striker being chased by Mick McCarthy, is unlikely to play in the Republic of Ireland's forthcoming friendly with Denmark. However, London-born Morrison is still interested in committing himself to the Republic and while there has been no formal approach from the FAI, the player has spoken to McCarthy. Jamaica, for whom Morrison also qualifies, have already made a formal approach.

After Palace's League Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield on Wednesday, Morrison will sit down with his manager Alan Smith and his advisers to discuss the 21year-old's future, both domestically and internationally. Smith is believed to consider Morrison too raw for international football and one of his advisers yesterday told The Irish Times that Morrison wants time to think about his situation.

Morrison could be included in the Irish squad against Denmark, and even play, but because it is a friendly he will not have committed himself to the Republic. However, Morrison does not want to be seen as stringing the Irish and McCarthy along and feels that any appearance in a green shirt would be a definite commitment regardless of the status of the match.

McCarthy could force the issue by naming Morrison in the squad for the Denmark game. But the Republic's manager was at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night to see Morrison score a fine opener in the 4-2 FA Cup defeat by Sunderland and said afterwards that he wants to avoid "all this gun-to-the-head-type stuff."

The most likely scenario is that Morrison will not be named in the squad for the Denmark game, but that McCarthy will know privately of the player's choice. "I'd like him to play for us, but it's his decision," McCarthy said. "I'll ring him soon and we'll talk again."

One piece of hopeful news for McCarthy is that Morrison does not qualify for Trinidad and Tobago as has been stated. Morrison qualifies for Jamaica through his father - and for the Republic via his county Dublin grandmother - but the adviser said he "cannot see any Trinidad or Tobago in Clinton's background."

Further good news for McCarthy is that Shay Given will next week end the uncertainty about his position at Newcastle United by retracting the transfer request he submitted a fortnight ago.

Given, peeved at not receiving an immediate recall after recovering from a thigh injury, shocked Robson with his written request and seemed prepared to move from St James' Park. But after the Newcastle board flatly rejected it on Tuesday, and with no offers from other clubs, Given has little option but to stay and fight for his place with Steve Harper.

Leaving Newcastle was never Given's aim - his transfer request was a way of stating his dissatisfaction but it has undoubtedly affected his previously healthy relationship with his manager, his colleagues and the Newcastle supporters.