Sam Allardyce has a big decision to make ahead of the clash against Newcastle United at Upton Park tomorrow with Ravel Morrison now reported as having shaken off a niggling groin injury.

After a week which has seen controversy surround the club over a bid from Fulham and false stories of a strike threat from the midfielder  – since denied by Rav – the Hammers boss will be desperate to act in the midfielder’s best interests

Assistant boss Neil McDonald claims Morrison is training with a smile on his face, although with the player having missed recent league games, a place on the bench looks the most likely option.

The team which won at Cardiff City last weekend will probably be unchanged apart from the suspended James Tomkins with James Collins coming in.

Meanwhile, an Upton Park source told us that the Morrison contract talks are too important to rush through at this stage declaring: “We are trying to bring players in and there’s not the time to get such an important deal done before the end of January.

 He added: “At this stage we all have to concentrate on our league situation and clear our minds of most else other than strengthening the team.”