Ravel Morrison
Morrison could have played through the pain barrier, says Allardyce.

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce admits he is disappointed with Ravel Morrison's decision not play through a recent groin injury despite being given the all clear by medical staff.

Morrison, 21, enjoyed a breakout first half of the campaign despite the Hammers' struggles but has not started a league game for the club since mid-December due to a combination of a dramatic drop in form and persistent injury concern.

His route to the first team has also been hampered by the return of a number of first team players from injury with Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp keen to capitalise on the situation and take the former Manchester United prodigy on loan.

With a possible departure looming, Allardyce admits it has been frustrating waiting for Morrison to recover from injury.

"Listening to our medical staff, there is no problem that he can carry on - not at all," Allardyce told a press conference, ITV Sport report.

"He says he feels it occasionally. Instead of gritting your teeth and getting on with it... he's not the type.

"Lots and lots of players throughout the country will be playing with a similar type of injury that the medical team say 'you can carry on, it's not a problem'."

Morrison's remarkable contribution earlier this season earned the youngster recognition at England Under-21 level and sparked tentative talk of the possibility of a call up to the senior side ahead of next summer's World Cup.

The youngster's fading influence coincided with West Ham's slump in form that has recently undergone a turnaround thanks to back to back league wins, but Allardyce remains unimpressed with Morrison's waning contribution.

"Some come, rise to the occasion and then don't realise how far they have risen, then all of a sudden when they start realising where they have gone that can be a little bit of a problem," he added.

"You have a lot of other players that are challenging his (Morrison's) position and doing a better job than him. I'm always disappointed if no one gives me selection problems.

"I like the fact that you have to see how players deal with being left out - are they going to be professional or unprofessional about it?"