Clinton Morrison has warned Birmingham he may have to consider his future if he is not given regular first-team football next season.

The 26-year-old, who scored four Premiership goals last term, is growing increasingly frustrated at his relegation to a bit-part player in Steve Bruce's team.

With the recent £3million arrival of Finland striker Mikael Forssell from Chelsea, Morrison is aware his opportunities in the starting XI could be further restricted.

"At the moment I not happy at the club because I've not been playing regularly," Morrison admitted.

"They've signed Mikael Forssell and he's obviously going to be playing up front with (Emile) Heskey next season.

"All I can do is hope to take my chance when it comes even if it's for 15 or 20 minutes as a sub. That's what I had to do for most of last season, when I knew I wasn't going to be a starter.

"All I want to do is play. I will have to see how pre-season goes and look at my role in the team but I'm not going to stand for being a bit-part player."

The Blues frontman, however, is keen to stress that he is otherwise happy at the club who prised him away from Crystal Palace for a then record fee of £4.25million in 2002.

"Everything else at the club is fine," he added.

"I get on with all the lads, the fans have been terrific towards me ever since I got here and me and I have a great relationship with the gaffer but he knows what it will take to make me happy again."

Morrison's fortunes at club level have been in stark contrast to the form he has displayed on the international stage with the Republic of Ireland, where he has formed the apex of a profitable attack with Tottenham's Robbie Keane.

Morrison has scored three goals for the Republic this term, propelling them to the top of World Cup qualifying Group Four.

With the biggest football tournament in the world only a year away, Morrison knows he runs the risk losing his place in the national side if he is inactive at club level.

"When I'm playing regularly I'm a better player," he insisted.

"If I can score goals at international level then I don't see any reason why I can't score goals in the Premiership.

"This is a big year for me with the World Cup coming up, so I need to be playing to stay in my manager's thoughts, and setting on the bench isn't going to help with the World Cup coming up."

For now, the ebullient marksman is carefully pondering his future as he wonders if his boss can find a way to include him in the team, adding: "Football isn't about money for me it's about playing, being happy and enjoying myself and at the moment I'm not.

"I have a great relationship with the gaffer and have done ever since I got here. He and the chairman have told me they don't want me to go but I may have to consider my future."