Former Bristol City midfielder Joe Morrell admits he will have to leave Luton Town to play more first-team football, and appears happy to drop down a division to achieve it.
The Robins academy product was sold last October to fellow Championship side Luton due to a logjam in centre midfield for the Robins and the need to raise some revenue in the transfer market.
But the 24-year-old struggled to force his way into Nathan Jones' starting XI on a consistent basis, making just five Championship starts, and a further five appearances off the bench, in his debut campaign at Kenilworth Road.
On Sunday, Morrell was named in Robert Page's 26-man squad for Euro 2020 despite reports leading up to the announcement that he may miss out due to his lack of first-team football across 2020/21.
Morrell said: "I’ve left it with my representatives. I'm focusing on the Euros. Next season I need to be playing regular football and that’s something I'll be addressing 100%.
“I’m a footballer who enjoys playing football and not a footballer who enjoys being a footballer - I do think there's a difference. It's about playing regularly regardless of the level.”
Morrell made his debut for City in 2013 aged 16 and was invariably tipped to be a first-team regular in years to come at Ashton Gate but that never quite materialised.
He enjoyed an outstanding season on loan at Lincoln in 2019/20 which led many to believe that last season was then one where he would make his breakthrough at BS3 under Dean Holden.
But the emergence of Tyreeq Bakinson, coupled with the presence of Joe Williams, Adam Nagy, Han-Noah Massengo, Chris Brunt, Liam Walsh and Zak Vyner in centre midfield, meant there was no obvious place for him in the team.
Based on his comments above, Morrell appears content to drop down a division - having played in League One while at Lincoln - and a reunion with Danny Cowley at Portsmouth could be a possibility, while Mark Ashton's move to Ipswich Town and the salaries they are offering players makes that an inevitable possible landing spot.
However, his place and likely involvement in the European Championship also opens up the possibility of staying in the Championship.
"It's definitely been a frustrating season for me and it didn't go to plan for whatever reason," Morrell added. "The chance of regular Championship football was what I wanted, but I do feel fit and 100 per cent ready to go for that first game.
"When I get that red shirt on I have an extra spring in my step."
