• ‘Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans,’ says Sullivan • ‘We would like to sit down and give him a longer contract’

The West Ham board appears to be at odds with the club’s manager, Sam Allardyce, over the future of Ravel Morrison. The former Manchester United youngster looked to have a bright future at Upton Park after breaking into the Hammers’ first team at the start of last season.

Morrison quickly became a fans’ favourite with his skilful, attacking displays in a West Ham side often accused of being negative in their approach. But, after a slump in form and a number of niggling injuries, the 21-year-old fell out of favour and ended the season on loan at QPR – helping Harry Redknapp’s side achieve promotion through the Championship play-offs.

With reported interest from the likes of Swansea and CSKA Moscow, Allardyce would likely listen to offers for the England Under-21 international but the Hammers co-owner David Sullivan says the board is keen to keep Morrison at the club.

“Sam has said Ravel is not part of his plans but we do – as a board – see him as part of our plans,” Sullivan told TalkSport. “I think he [Allardyce] said in a press conference, if I read it correctly, he’s not part of his plans for this season. I think he said that in New Zealand but we don’t agree with that. We would like to sit down and give him a longer contract.”

Discussions between the manager and the board will no doubt be required to iron out any difference of opinion regarding Morrison, with Sullivan aware that having the player sat on the bench on a long contract would not be beneficial. “We do like him,” Sullivan added. “We do see him as part of the long-term future of the club but we have to agree it with the manager because there’s no point signing a player he’s not going to play.”

Morrison was left at home as the remainder of the West Ham squad jetted off for a pre-season tour of New Zealand, with the club confirming he underwent successful groin surgery.

Having spent time at St George’s Park since his operation, Morrison should be fit and ready to rejoin the first-team squad when they return from the long-haul trip but it remains to be seen if he will feature in the opening Premier League match against Tottenham.

Sullivan also said that West Ham would have to reinforce their striking options after Andy Carroll was ruled out for four months with an ankle ligament injury. “We can’t start the season with the strike-force we’ve got. I don’t think it’s good enough, there’s not enough height in it and if we get another injury, in terms of quantity, it’s insufficient, so we have to sign at least one more player,” he said.