It's not often Gordon Taylor is heard talking down his members but yesterday the players' union chief executive urged the world of football to be patient with Birmingham City's Jermaine Pennant.

The winger's stock has risen markedly since he was released from prison last month and a string of impressive performances has led to some commentators predicting an international future for the 22-year-old.

But according to Taylor, the head of the Professional Footballers' Association, it would be unwise to heap too much pressure on the youngster's shoulders and while he commended Birmingham for sticking by Pennant, he also called on them to provide offfield support to facilitate the player's rehabilitation.

Pennant served 30 days of a three-month sentence for driving while drunk and disqualified and returned to Premiership football less than a week after regaining his liberty.

His return to action has exceeded all expectations and he has been one of Blues' best players over the last month.

But for Taylor it's a case of slowly does it. "Of course I have been impressed with him [Pennant] but then the lad has always had lots of talent," Taylor said.

"I don't want to make any big predictions about what he'll do, I'd rather be talking about him in six or seven years' time and be praising him for having a great career.

"I just hope that the offfield situation can be addressed now that he has had the cold shower of internment."

Watching Pennant's performances for Birmingham it is easy to see why Arsenal paid a record fee for a 15-year-old to secure his services from Notts County - and similarly simple to understand why Blues manager Steve Bruce was prepared to give him another chance.

According to Taylor, whether Pennant fulfils his undoubted ability is more down to what happens in his personal life than the way he copes with opposition defences.

"If life off the pitch goes well he will see the rewards on it. He has had the pedigree from being a young player to go right to the very top," he said.

"The only thing that will stop him is problems he has off the field with character and temperament. If he can address those then he could have a long and successful career.

"It would be a shame if he wasted this chance. Too many

players I have known have wasted their special chance but this is one situation where I hope a sheep has come back into the fold."

As for Birmingham's role in Pennant's recovery ,Taylor has been heartened by what he has seen so far and believes Bruce is the ideal manager to help Pennant through his difficulties.

"He has been given a chance when many people had written him off," said Taylor. "The manager's influence is vital whether it's at Crewe or Manchester United. You only have to look at Chelsea to see what the players think of their manager.

"I have known Steve Bruce a long time and I cannot think of anyone better to look after him."

Pennant's signing and recent form has been one of the reasons behind Clinton Morrison's recent declaration that he wants to remain at St Andrew's rather than move on in search of first-team football.

Morrison is a regular for the Republic of Ireland and believes that his chances of making next year's World Cup in Germany lie not just with what happens with Brian Kerr's men, but closer to home too.

It has been suggested he might leave to team up with his former international manager Mick McCarthy at Sunderland. But not so, according to Morrison.

"I've said along that I want to stay. When the gaffer's signing players like 'Afro Man' - Jermaine Pennant, who was brilliant against Norwich - that's good for the strikers," he said.

"When things like that are happening, and he's going to bring some more quality in during the summer, I want to be part of it. I want to play regularly as well."

* Emile Heskey confirmed his place as Blues' star of the season by winning two awards at the club's presentation evening last night.

The striker, in his first season at St Andrew's after his summer move from Liverpool, was named supporters' player and players' player of the season.