Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp has explained handing Ravel Morrison a preseason chance.

The former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder is trialling with the Championship outfit.

“He's such a talent," Redknapp told TalkSport. “His ability is up there with the best there is around.

“I said to him yesterday: 'Ravel, listen, there is only one mug in this country that will take a chance on you now and that is me'.

“I have taken him for a month on trial and said to him 'come and show what you can do, earn yourself a contract, don't waste all that fantastic ability, and prove to people that you can produce and behave'.

“He is not a bad lad. He is not a nasty boy in any shape or form. He has been easily led by the wrong people, but he trained yesterday and some of the stuff he does is fantastic. I love watching him play."