RANIERI DISMISSES MORRIS RUMOURS

CHELSEA boss Claudio Ranieri has admitted that he does not want to lose midfielder Jody Morris, despite reports that the player is unhappy at his lack of first team opportunities and that he was considering of moving to get regular action.

According to recent reports Morris had grown unsettled at Stamford Bridge under Ranieri and could be forced to leave the club if his first-team chances did not improve even though he would ideally like to stay at the West London side.

The 21-year-old has made only six appearances since the Italian manager arrived at the club two months ago and youngster Sam dalla Bona has overtaken him in the pecking order for a place in midfield.

The England Under-21 international is also claimed to have remarked that the manager does not rate him, but Ranieri has dismissed this.

"He has never come to speak to me," said Ranieri. "He is a first-team squad player.

"There are four players available for two central midfield places and I believe a lot in him.

"But at the moment, Dennis Wise and Sam dalla Bona are playing very well and I don't believe in making a change for change's sake.

"There will always be opportunities though, as I have shown for John Terry and Eidur Gudjohnsen."

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson also dismissed the speculation surrounding Morris.

"He is certainly not on the transfer list," said Hutchinson.

"He's never been to us and said he wishes to leave and it's never been said to Claudio that he's unhappy. We don't see a problem unless anyone tells us differently."