JAMES Morrison is playing his best football for years – but admits he still fears the axe from Roy Hodgson.

The Albion midfielder has flourished in a more central role in recent weeks, mixing attacking flair with the defensive duties required to satisfy Hodgson’s demands.

While Morrison admits he’s enjoying his form and is pleased with his overall game, losing his place is always at the back of his mind.

“I’ve played the last three weeks but leading up to the team being named on a Saturday I’m still questioning ‘am I going to play’?’’ he said.

“It keeps you on your toes and you have to keep working hard in training and do the right things because sometimes if you know you’re playing you don’t do them.

“I like to think my first season in the Premier League was just as good as I’m playing now.

“My career under Roy has been stop-start but I’m playing regularly now and I feel like it’s what I can do.

“I don’t see it as a surprise at all.”

The 25-year-old is in his fifth season at The Hawthorns and feels he is now one of Albion’s senior players.

But with such high competition for places, no-one is guaranteed a start, and the ex-Middlesbrough midfielder knows he’s had to adapt to fit into Hodgson’s plans.

Although his best attributes are seen when Albion are on the attack, Morrison says he is enjoying sitting in a deeper role and allowing others to create.

“Under Roy I knew I had to learn the defensive side of my position,” he added.