McDermott sure moving on Morison was the correct call

When Leeds visit the New Den tomorrow Morison will not be playing as he is ineligible under the terms of his season-long loan.

On the topic of loans, the Whites’ chief remains on the lookout to bring in a forward to boost his team’s strike rate after ruling out a move for Hull City’s Matty Fryatt.

As it stands, only Yeovil and Bolton Wanderers have scored fewer league goals than United, although McDermott remains happy with his decision to let Morison return to the Lions.

The money saved on his wages enabled him to complete the protracted deal to bring in Noel Hunt, albeit he is yet to score for the club.

While struggling for form in the second half of last season at Leeds, Morison also failed to settle and left under somewhat of a cloud just five months on from signing for Leeds on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Morison, who has labelled his time at Elland Road as ‘rubbish’, hit out at McDermott following his decision to let him leave, but the Whites’ chief says his decision was based strictly on business and nothing personal.

The striker opened his Millwall account with a fine goal in the Londoners’ recent 3-1 victory over then-leaders Blackpool and hit 40 goals in 95 games in his first spell there.

McDermott said: “It was more a case that at the time there was someone who wanted one of our players and they wanted to take him (Morison). So (we) decided to do the deal. We took Noel Hunt and Steve went out the door.

“He’s still a Leeds United player and he’s had an injury recently as well. But am I happy with what I did and the decisions I make. I don’t regret the decisions I make.

“It wasn’t personal. If he was critical of me I don’t take that personally. That’s football and there’s not a lot you can do about that.”

McDermott has confirmed that Lee Peltier, Tom Lees and Luke Varney will all be fit for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, teenager Alex Mowatt insists he is ready to step up to the Championship in the unforgiving environment of the New Den if selected.

The combative midfielder, who impressed in his second outing for the club, against Premier League Newcastle United on Wednesday, is now eyeing his League debut after coming in for £1m man Luke Murphy at St James’ Park.

Mowatt, who made his debut at home-town club Doncaster Rovers in the Capital One Cup a month ago, said: “If he wants to play me, I’m ready. That’s it really.

“If I play well, hopefully I should get my chance.”