Ravel Morrison ready for Sheffield United debut - Wilder
Last updated on .From the section Sheff Utd
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says that Ravel Morrison is ready to make his first Premier League appearance in five years.
The ex-West Ham forward has signed a one-year deal with the Blades after playing in Italy, Mexico and Norway.
Morrison, 26, featured in pre-season and Tuesday's behind-closed-doors game with his former club Manchester United.
"He played 90 minutes, he's been involved in both squads now, so he's ready," said Wilder.
Morrison, who can play in midfield or as a striker, last featured in the Premier League as a second-half substitute for West Ham in a 1-3 home loss to Southampton in August 2014.
He travelled for the Blades' season opener at Bournemouth but was not named in the matchday squad for that match or last weekend's win against Crystal Palace.
Wilder feels he has strong competition even for a place on the substitutes' bench but said he will utilise all his squad for Tuesday's EFL Cup tie against Blackburn.
The Blades' boss also said there was a doubt over midfielder John Fleck, who was replaced by Luke Freeman in the first half of the win over Palace last Sunday.
But there was better news about striker Callum Robinson - who was also taken off against Palace - as the team prepare for Saturday's Premier League game with Leicester.
"We've a doubt about John Fleck but Callum has trained all week," Wilder said. "We'll give John that time to recover."
Wilder added that he sees little chance of a long-term social media boycott and put the onus on the authorities to act after Paul Pogba, Tammy Abraham and Yakou Meite all suffered racist abuse over the last week.
A one-day boycott was organised by the Professional Footballers' Association in April but England women's manager Phil Neville has now called for footballers to stay away from social media for six months.
"It might happen for a day or two but (social media has) become so much a way of life and it's here to stay," said Wilder. "It's more down to those who regulate it to do something about it."
