Southend fail to land Morrison

Morrison: Highly rated

League One outfit Southend United have failed in a series of bids for highly-rated centre-half Michael Morrison.

Blue Square side Cambridge United have rejected numerous offers for the 19-year-old as they aim to back manager Jimmy Quinn's promotion push back into the league.

Southend were reportedly interested in the player last summer and made offers to Cambridge - currently sitting fifth in the conference - in the last few days.

But Cambridge director George Rolls told the club's official website on Wednesday: "We have told Southend United we will not be accepting their offers for Michael Morrison because the board of directors is backing Jimmy Quinn in keeping our best squad together until at least the end of the season.

"Southend made an offer to loan Michael for the rest of the season with a cash fee agreed for his transfer at the end of the season, and in the last few days we have rejected four increased cash offers.

Best players

"I spoke to Jimmy Quinn about this at length today and he wants to keep our best players together and give the club the best chance to achieve something this season, so as a Board we have decided to reject the offers."

Rolls also confirmed that there have been no offers for Morrison, who has been with Cambridge United since the age of 14 , and Scott Rendell from Peterborough United.

He said: "It's just speculation because Barry Fry was seen at our game against Stevenage last weekend."

Cambridge rejected bids from two Football League clubs for leading scorer Rendell at the end of January.