Ravel with a cause: Morrison starts for Hammers

Ravel Morrison will make his first start for West Ham tonight when they take on Cheltenham in the Capital One Cup at Upton Park.

Morrison, 20, began his career at Manchester United but was sold to West Ham in January 2012 for £1million after criticism of his attitude and rumours of ill-discipline.

He made his debut later that season as a substitute against Leeds but was loaned out to Birmingham last year.

Morrison returned to Upton Park during the summer and made a big impression during the club’s pre-season programme.

Morrison, brought up by his grandparents in Denton, Manchester, had a troubled past but Hammers captain Kevin Nolan said recently: “It looks as though he has grown up.

“He has scored goals in pre-season and I’m sure that if he can get everything right now — off the pitch as well as on it — he can go on and have a very successful career.