West Ham manager Sam Allardyce rubbishes allegations over pressing Ravel Morrison to switch agents as 'completely unfounded'

Allardyce has denied claims that he attempted to pressure the midfielder into becoming a client of his own agent Mark Curtis

Sam Allardyce gestures from the sidelines during West Ham's 2-0 win over Swansea (GETTY IMAGES)

Sam Allardyce has branded allegations that he pressed Ravel Morrison to switch agents as “completely unfounded”.

A report this week claimed midfielder Morrison wanted to leave West Ham having felt pressured by manager Allardyce to become a client of his agent, Mark Curtis, who also represents a number of players at the club.

Morrison, who was a January target for Fulham, has since got his move away from Upton Park, albeit in the shape of a loan deal with Championship promotion hopefuls QPR.

However, Hammers fans are baffled at how relations between Morrison and the club appear to have gone sour so soon after he was being tipped as an outsider for England's World Cup squad following some sparkling early-season displays.

And now Allardyce has strenuously denied claims that he attempted to persuade the 21-year-old to change agents.

"It's completely unfounded," he said. "I think the rumours or allegations will be made probably by Ravel's representatives. But there is no truth in the fact I have sat with Ravel Morrison and tried to press him into signing with any agent, never mind mine.

"It's his choice, his decision, not mine. Unless they (players) ask me, which he didn't.

"I haven't had a discussion on Ravel signing with Mark Curtis, no.

"I think the world that revolves around Ravel is quite unique in terms of the publicity he gets but there we go."

Allardyce had previously put Morrison's recent absence from the team down to a niggling groin injury, although he is expected to be fit enough to make his Rangers debut against Charlton on Saturday.

Yet despite the apparent rift, Allardyce insists the former Manchester United youngster, who is under contract until next summer, still has a future at the club.

When asked if Morrison had played his last game for the club, Allardyce responded: "No."

He added: "The fact of the matter is that Ravel wanted to play some first-team football.

"He wasn't getting it as much here as he wanted so we've let him go on loan.

"Our consistent performances and recent acquisitions have given us a bigger squad and Ravel has found it a little more difficult to get in."

PA