January 31 2001

Hayden Mullins

HAYDEN MULLINS will still be unavailable for Saturday's clash against West Brom at Selhurst Park. He will be serving his third and final game of his suspension against The Baggies.

The youngster was banned for three matches after his sending off against Sunderland in the FA Cup third round.

MULLINS will return to the squad when The Eagles take on Burnley at Turf Moor next weekend.

Chinese international Fan Zhiyi is not likely to return to Alan Smith's side for Saturday's clash.

Fan picked up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup third round replay against Sunderland and is struggling to be fit. The injury turned out to be worse than first feared and he is expected to be out for at least another three or four weeks.

Dougie Freedman will return to the squad after being cup tied against Liverpool last week.

Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy said that he wil not put pressure on Clinton Morrison to decide his international future.

McCarthy admits to have spoken to Morrison, who is qualified to play for Ireland, England, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Morrison will have to make a decision soon, but McCarthy said that he doesn't want him to rush into anything.

"He just doesn't seem to be able to get his head around the idea of playing international football and until such time that he does he is better off left alone to make up his mind. It's a big career decision for a lad his age and I certainly don't wish to be seen as pressurising him into joining us," the Republic of Ireland boss said.