Birmingham have released a statement after Clinton Morrison was questioned by police following an incident on Monday evening. The Republic of Ireland striker accepted a lift in a car which was later found to have drugs in it when stopped by police.

"Birmingham City Football Club is keen to clarify the circumstances surrounding an incident involving Clinton Morrison on Monday evening," said the statement.

"The facts are that a car Clinton was travelling in was found to have drugs in it when it was stopped by police in a routine check. Clinton, who is unable to drive, had accepted a lift in good faith from someone he didn't know.

"Clinton is no way involved with drugs and realises accepting a lift from someone not known to him was the wrong thing to do and he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce said: "Clinton obviously realises he has made an error of judgment, but does not take or is involved in drugs in any way."

Morrison was released on bail after questioning and has been told by police that he is unlikely to face charges.

"There are no charges against Clinton," Bruce added. "The only thing he has done is the naivety of just getting into the car. It is end of story as far as we are concerned.

"There is nothing untoward happened on Clinton's part. There is no internal action being taken by us against him. At the end of the day he has done nothing wrong."

Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy has completed the signing of Colin Healy on a two-year deal. The Republic of Ireland midfielder has become McCarthy's third summer signing after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical last week.

"I'm thrilled Colin has joined us," McCarthy said. "There was some strong competition for his signature, including from some Premiership clubs, so it's pleasing to have secured the services of a player of his quality. I know Colin well and I'm fully aware of his strengths. He'll be a great addition to our squad."

Healy left Celtic at the end of last season and the 23-year-old has been a target of McCarthy for some time - though it appeared Sunderland had missed out on his signature earlier this week when Healy accepted an invitation from Leeds United to train with them.

Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore believes Cardiff have signed a Premiership player in the making following striker Alan Lee's departure from Millmoor.

Lee will join Cardiff subject to passing a medical for an initial fee of £850,000 which could increase to £1.2 million depending on appearances and goals - and whether Cardiff reach the Premiership.

However, Moore insists counterpart Lennie Lawrence has pulled off a coup to land the Republic of Ireland international.

"At the end of the day, it was out of my hands," Moore said. "I don't want to say too much about Alan leaving and how he did because if I do it will get me in trouble.

"I know he wanted to go mainly because of money which you cannot begrudge a player of doing that in this day and age.

"To be honest, I think he could have done better than joining Cardiff too. If he'd have sat and waited maybe a Premiership team could have come in for him because I think he could play at that level."

Lee joined Rotherham from Burnley in September 2000 and scored 41 goals in 122 appearances - 16 of them last season.

But after the 2-1 League Cup victory over York on Tuesday - when Lee missed a penalty - the former Aston Villa trainee handed in a transfer request which was reluctantly accepted by the Rotherham board.

Although Moore has been promised funds to find a replacement, he admits he faces an uphill struggle to find anyone of the same calibre.

"Alan's been absolutely brilliant for me and I've nothing but praise for him. He's left here a much better player and that is something both of us can be proud of. He's irreplaceable as far as getting someone in on that amount of money is concerned. I've been told I will receive a substantial amount to get someone in, but it's going to be tough."

Cardiff manager Lawrence expressed his delight at landing the 6 ft 2 in striker and admitted the deal was pushed on by Lee's performance for Rotherham against his side on the opening day of the season at Millmoor.

Lee is expected to makes his debut when Cardiff host Bradford on Saturday.

Former Ireland international Steve Staunton, out of favour with the Aston Villa manager David O'Leary, has been in talks with Coventry City's manager Gary McAllister about a move and a possible coaching role.