REDDITCH United manager Darren Byfield has said there’s no hard feelings after former Republic of Ireland player Clinton Morrison left the club.

Morrison played his final game for United on Saturday in the narrow 1-0 loss at Weymouth.

The former Birmingham City and Crystal Palace hitman linked up with good friend Byfield in the summer and generated a host of great publicity for United.

He also featured heavily in pre-season and scored in the opening day win over Chesham United.

Morrison also played in the 4-2 success at Stratford last Tuesday and in Dorset at the weekend but after talks with the United boss decided to leave the club citing travelling and personal issues.

Byfield said: “I don’t think anyone can question Clinton’s commitment, he played almost all our games in pre-season and our league games.

“But he’s got a lot going on in his life at the moment, so we had a chat and decided he’d move on.

“There’s no hard feelings, Clinton has been great.”

The search for a replacement striker is one of a number of issues that Byfield has on his to-do list after another defender was sent off on Saturday.

Riccardo Dudley was dismissed late on for two bookable offences and is set to miss Saturday’s clash at King’s Lynn.

With influential centre back Clayton McDonald still suspended for Tuesday night’s clash against Kettering, which is to be played at the Oval Ground, and the weekend, United are short in defence.

Dudley was set to play alongside another youngster Cameron Young for the clash against the Poppies last night.

Byfield said: “Clayton’s a big miss for us but this is a chance for Cameron and Riccardo to stake a claim.

“They have only played 20 games between them so it’s a big test but they can learn."

Meanwhile, Byfield took the blame for Saturday’s first loss of the season.

United were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Jazz Luckie was brought down.

But Weymouth were awarded their own late on and Charlie Davis bagged the winner.

“We were holding on throughout and Weymouth deserved to win,” said the United manager.

“We could have had a penalty and I thought the one given against us was harsh.

“But I hold my hands up, we deviated from the way we played all season, so I apologise to the players and fans.”