Morris set to end Dons loan spell after Norwich take bids for the striker

The on-loan Norwich City striker looks set for the Championship
Carlton MorrisCarlton Morris
Carlton Morris

Carlton Morris is set to leave MK Dons for the Championship after Norwich City agreed a deal to sell the striker.

Morris, on loan from Carrow Road for a second spell at Stadium MK, was omitted from the squad which beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 on Boxing Day.

Last week, Russell Martin confirmed rumours linking him with a move away from Norwich, and cutting short his season-long loan spell with Dons, and after leaving him out against Rovers, said Morris was in talks with a move to the second tier, understood to be Barnsley.

"Carlton is in talks about a permanent move to a Championship club," the manager confirmed. "Norwich have been really transparent and open about it. And credit to him, he was willing to play today but it's a tough one – I know what's at stake for him and his career.

"We'd have loved to sign him, and he'd have loved to have stayed but with the salary cap, we cannot compete with a Championship club - that's the brutal reality. Norwich were happy for him to stay with us, but he's in the last six months of his contract and it's an offer they cannot turn down.

"As much as I'd have loved to have played him, whether it was conscious or subconscious, I don't think he'd have been able to give everything. It's a really tough position to be in as a player.

"If the move falls through, he will remain with us until the end of the season as planned. If not, I'll go on record to thank him for his efforts over the last year on and off the pitch. He has been a big part of what we're doing, and a big character who we will miss. We will have to work hard to replace him.

"Especially in the last few weeks, he has been outstanding, so it is no surprise to me that clubs are interested in him, even if he hasn't got the goals he would have liked. It's a big loss for us, but it gives others opportunities and they have to take it."