Clinton Morrison has emphasised his need to leave Birmingham City and he expects to join a new club before the transfer window closes on August 31.
The Republic of Ireland international striker is concerned that his lack of first-team opportunities for Birmingham are damaging his chances of representing his country at the World Cup next June.
Morrison has fallen behind Emile Heskey, Mikael Forssell and Walter Pandiani in the pecking order at St Andrew's. Initially, he was content to fight for his place but now he realises that he has little chance of dislodging his team-mates.
Morrison, who moved to Blues from Crystal Palace for £4.25 million in 2002 and who has a year left on his contract, says that Birmingham have refused to let him go out on loan. He sees a permanent move away as his only option.
"I know there's two weeks to go to the transfer deadline and we will see what happens, but I think I will be out of the door by then - definitely," Morrison said. "That's not by me asking to go. I've always said I'm happy to stay at Birmingham, but it's not worked out for me at club level as I would have liked.
"If I do move, then it will be permanent because I've asked to go on loan but the manager won't let me. I think something's going to happen pretty soon anyway because there's been quite a few clubs showing an interest, both Premiership and Championship."
Morrison would prefer to remain in the top-flight, but would drop down a level for the sake of his career to guarantee himself the football he craves.
Neil Warnock, the Sheffield United manager, is understood to be keen, while Morrison has not ruled out teaming up again with Mick McCarthy, the former Ireland manager, at Premiership newcomers Sunderland. It appears that the Black Cats were put off by Morrison's salary.
"Money is not an issue," Morrison said. But, when asked if he would take a pay cut, he joked: "Well, I wear a lot of diamonds! I don't want any cubic zirconia!
"Seriously, I just want to get back to playing football. I've still not ruled out going to Sunderland, because I've always said I would like to play for Mick again.
"He first brought me into the Ireland squad, so it would have been brilliant to go to Sunderland when I heard they were interested, but my wages were a stumbling block at the time.
"I know the fee Birmingham are asking for me is decent and although the manager has said he would like to keep me, he doesn't want to stand in my way."
