England Watch - James Morrison
Morrison has scored two goals for Boro this season
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Wednesday, 14, Mar 2007 05:00
Versatile midfielders are possibly the most sought-after commodities for international tournaments, simply because they can provide cover in a variety of positions.
While he was not exactly flavour of the month with many England fans before Germany 2006, Owen Hargreaves epitomised this desire for a player that can provide adequate, if unspectacular cover in various positions around the park.
Before he was lauded by England fans devoid of any individuals to praise in last year's World Cup, Hargreaves was regarded as a bit-part player - a perennial substitute who although a fixture in the squad was not quite fit to start.
And while he may not possess quite the range of skills and adaptability of the Bayern Munich star, Middlesbrough's James Morrison is still versatile enough to give old boss Steve McClaren a good enough reason to keep tabs on him for the future.
Alistair Potter looks at his chances of making the trip to South Africa in 2010.
Name: James Morrison
Position: Midfielder
Club: Middlesbrough
Age by South Africa 2010: 24
James Morrison is a 20-year-old with a big future.
Since making his first-team debut under England boss Steve McClaren when he was the head coach at Middlesbrough, Morrison has gone from strength to strength and is now regarded by many avid fans as an important part of the Boro side.
While he is not yet consistent enough to warrant a permanent place, Morrison has made 25 appearances for the senior side this season, 14 of which have been as a starter.
He has come on in leaps and bounds in recent seasons and now has a substantial amount of experience, both domestically and in Europe, for a man who is only just in his 20s. After all, there aren't many who have started a major European final as a teenager (the 2006 Uefa Cup final against Sevilla).
Morrison's international experience is restricted to under-19s level but even here he has caught the eye of the selectors higher up the England pyramid. He has not yet made an appearance for the under-21s although many believe he is on the cusp of a talented squad and could yet be on the plane to Holland for this summer's European Under-21 Championships.
As a quick and skilful midfielder capable of playing in any position across the middle, although most comfortable in the centre or wide on the right, Morrison has demonstrated his ability to rise to the big occasion already in his young career.
He also has that rare quality that appeals to fans on the terraces - passion. Between himself and another local boy, Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough's young fans have two heroes to look up to who demonstrate a genuine love for their club amid all the criticism of money-grabbing journeymen in today's Premiership.
There is little doubt that, given the opportunity, Morrison would be equally as passionate wearing the Three Lions although he has quite a queue of equally-deserving players to get past in order to force his way into the full squad.
The first step for the young Boro boy will be to cement a place in the under-21s before making the next logical step upwards.
While he is not the spectacular trick-wielding superstar many onlookers like to see in today's top leagues, Morrison has the work ethic and wherewithal to make it at the top level.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa may well be one tournament too early for the 20-year-old but if he continues to improve at his current rate he could well be on the cusp of a senior call-up by the turn of the decade, rather than just angling for an under-21 spot.
England's 2010 World Cup squad
*Players in bold - tickets to South Africa booked already
Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson
Possibles: Chris Kirkland, Ben Foster, Rob Green, Scott Carson
Defenders
John Terry, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher
Possibles: Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Anton Ferdinand, Leighton Baines, Justin Hoyte, Curtis Davies, Wes Brown, Phil Bardsley, Michael Mancienne
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick
Possibles: Aaron Lennon, Tom Huddlestone, Nigel Reo-Coker, Lee Cattermole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stewart Downing, Giles Barnes, James Morrison, Kieran Richardson
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen
Possibles: David Nugent, Theo Walcott, James Vaughan, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Darren Bent, Dean Ashton, Cameron Jerome