WITH just over a week before Derry City's biggest game of the season news that a top striker may be on his way out of the club certainly won't help preparations.
Sammy Morrow is believed to be Linfield's number one target when the transfer window opens in January.
Blues boss David Jeffrey, who has been on the hunt for a leading marksman since the departures of Peter Thompson, Mark Dickson and Thomas Stewar
t, is thought to have been in contact with the Brandywell men.
Sources close to the Candystripes are said to be offering the gifted front man a new deal after next Sunday's RDS showdown with Bohemians.
Thankfully for the Brandywell out-fit, the 23-year-old's current deal doesn't expire until next November, so the Windsor Park side would have to make a substantial bid for the Roesider.
However it's thought Jeffrey may try and use Linfield's impending UEFA appeal in regards Stewart's summer move to City and any compensation for his development could be used in the transfer of Morrow.
Morrow has been in blistering form this campaign since he broke back into the City line-up following his second cruciate knee ligament operation.
The former Northern Ireland Under 21 international played a major role in Derry's empathic 3-0 win over the Belfast men only a few weeks ago in the Setanta Sports Cup.
Although the Limavady man didn't score that evening he did play a major role in two of Mark Farren's three goals.
While in September, the gifted front man helped himself to a hat-trick and a man of the match display in the Candystripes' 6-1 win at Wexford Youths in the eircom League Cup final.
If Morrow was to move to Windsor Park, Derry boss Stephen Kenny is sure to look for a replacement as the ex-Hibernian man's clever link-up play certainly has played a big role in Farren's recent outstanding goalscoring run.
The full article contains 345 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.
