Morris vows to stay out of trouble

"When I was going through bad patches in my career before they were the two people I would phone up and ask for advice.

"They know me inside out and they are two people who I trust. I value their opinions very highly.

"I don't think I have to prove myself on the pitch, I know I can play. It was only 15 months ago that I was playing for Chelsea and we qualified for the Champions League.

"I set myself high standards on the pitch and if I'm happy I'm sure I will keep everyone else happy.

"But obviously I need to stay as far away from any sort of trouble as possible. I just cannot get into any sort of bother."

Morris first struck up his friendship with Wise when he was an apprentice at Stamford Bridge and cleaned the captain's boots. The England international tried to guide him and Morris thinks things will be the same at Millwall.

He said: "I have looked up to Dennis throughout my career and when he was captain at Chelsea he was more like a manager to me.

"He is a mate and he was that at Chelsea, but that did not stop him absolutely hammering me sometimes.

"He tells you when he thinks you are wrong or when you are doing well.

"I looked up to him and he would put his arm around me or hammer me if I needed it.

"He is a pal but that does not mean he will give me an easy ride because he never has."

The way things are shaping up for Millwall, Morris will not be the only one facing a tough time.

After guiding the team to the FA Cup Final and almost into the playoffs last season, Wise does not want to raise expectations.

He is pleased with the work Millwall have done in pre-season and is aiming for a top-six finish.

But the 37-year-old is concerned that his squad will not be as strong as he wants when they play their first Championship game at Plymouth on Saturday.

Morris will bring some neat passing and strong tackling to midfield and Stefan Moore is a promising addition up front.

But with captain Kevin Muscat out for at least another month due to a knee injury and a series of summer departures including Tim Cahill, Wise is worried.

The £2million Millwall got from Everton for the midfielder has come through too late to be spent before the first game of the season.

Wise said: "The teams who have come down have spent a lot of money and brought in several players. There are also sides like Sheffield United, West Ham, Sunderland, Wigan and Reading who have spent as well and have added a lot more players to their squads.

"Unfortunately, I have had to replace two goalkeepers and a central midfielder and that is all I have been able to do.

"I needed to bring in another leftback and three or four more players but that is not going to happen."