Ravel Morrison may not have heard of Paul Gascoigne, but former England team-mate Gareth Southgate believes they share an ability to do things "out of the ordinary".
After years in which his off-pitch activities made the headlines, the Manchester United academy graduate finally appears to have found his way with West Ham.
The 20-year-old scored an early contender for goal of the season in Sunday's 3-0 win at Tottenham and has this week linked up with England Under-21s for the first time.
It has been three years since Morrison was last involved with an England side and manager Southgate has seen none of the disciplinary issues that had previously hampered his career.
"I've not recently spoken to people that have been involved with him in the past, but I've spent time speaking to other people who are involved with him now," the Young Lions boss said.
"There are lots of good people at West Ham that have got him in a good place.
"I think it's for us to create an environment here where he can express himself and feel comfortable, and that he can trust the people around him. He's a charming lad. Anyone who meets him would tell you that.
"How do young people learn? Unfortunately usually by making mistakes. It's what you do thereon that's important. It's lovely to see him playing the way he is."
Last season's loan with Birmingham appears to have turned Morrison from boy to man, with manager Lee Clark describing him as "the best young player this country has produced since Paul Gascoigne".
Not that such words meant a great deal to Morrison as he did not know who Gascoigne was.
Source: PA
