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Allardyce denies Morrison agent rift

Ravel Morrison (centre) has found opportunities limiited at West Ham despite a good opening to the season © Getty Images

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Sam Allardyce has denied forcing Ravel Morrison to sign with agent Mark Curtis, whose role is believed to be a key factor behind the midfielder's loan move to Queens Park Rangers.

Morrison has joined the promotion-chasing Championship club until the end of the season, after being left out of Allardyce's plans and as he is yet to receive a new contract by the club.

West Ham turned down a £4 million bid from Fulham for Morrison in January but look likely to sell him once his QPR deal concludes this summer.

The Daily Mail reports Morrison had become frustrated at working under Allardyce and uncomfortable with the role of Curtis, who has links with a number of West Ham players.

But Allardyce, who denied Morrison has played his last game for the Hammers, also insists he had nothing to do with the midfielder's association with Curtis.

"The rumours or allegations would be made probably by Ravel's representatives, but there is no truth in the fact that I have sat with Ravel Morrison and tried to press him into signing with any agent, never mind mine," Allardyce said.

"It's his choice and his decision, not mine - unless a player asks me. I haven't had a discussion with Ravel on signing with Mark Curtis, no. I think the world that revolves around Ravel is quite unique in terms of the publicity he gets."

Allardyce is adamant that, with Morrison struggling to play regular football despite a strong start to the season, the loan move is mutually beneficial to both parties.

"I'm not answering questions on Ravel Morrison because he's not with us now," said Allardyce. "He's on loan at QPR, we've done a deal with them. We are playing football against Southampton on Saturday, my focus is the squad of players I have here.

"The fact of the matter is, Ravel wanted to play some first-team football, he wasn't getting as much here as he wanted so we've let him go on loan to QPR.

"Our consistent performances and the signings of [Antonio] Nocerino, [Marco] Borriello, [Pablo] Armero and Roger Johnson have given us a bigger squad and Ravel has found it a little bit more difficult to get in."

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