BIRMINGHAM CITY will not allow Clinton Morrison to go to Sunderland on the cheap - despite the striker's frustrations at St Andrew's, writes PAUL FRASER.

The 26-year-old has long been a target for Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy.

Morrison has told Blues manager Steve Bruce he wants to leave if he is not given assurances of a first team shirt, while McCarthy is looking for another forward with Premiership experience.

But Bruce has insisted he wants to keep all of his front-men at Birmingham to ensure they are strongly positioned to make a concerted push for a UEFA Cup spot.

And that's why Birmingham would have to receive an irresistible bid if they are to be tempted into a sale - something Sunderland are not in a position to do.

McCarthy has already spent £3m on Jon Stead and Kelvin Davis, while he has an offer on the table for Wolves striker Kenny Miller.

Sunderland have shown they are unwilling to raise their offer of just over £1m for the Scotsman and, with Wolves looking for around double, no progress is being made on that front.

Birmingham, who paid £4.25m for Morrison in 2002, would want more than Miller's valuation for their man so Sunderland may have to look elsewhere to bolster their attacking ranks.

Morrison was handed his first Republic of Ireland cap by McCarthy, who has also agreed a deal to sign Tommy Miller on a free transfer when the Ipswich midfielder returns from honeymoon this week.

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