Leeds
manager Terry Venables insists he has not fallen out
with David Batty, saying he has not made the team due
to a lack of match fitness.
Reports
on Tuesday suggested that Batty had no future at Elland
Road after being left in the cold by Venables and
missing the reserves' 4-2 win over Newcastle at Gateshead
on Monday night.
However, Venables says the 33-year-old midfielder
has not been considered for action because of a lack
of fitness and insists there has been no fall-out
with the former England midfielder.
"He has been training with us and playing in
the reserves, although he did not play at Newcastle
because he is not fit," the Whites boss said.
Batty, who has a knee injury, has been having treatment
at the club's Thorp Arch training ground, along with
skipper Dominic Matteo (knee) and striker Robbie Fowler
(hip).
Speculation about Batty's future has been rife since
he refused to go on Leeds' pre-season trip to Australia
and the Far East because of his refusal to fly following
the September 11 atrocities and was then dumped into
the reserves by Venables.
Batty's agent Haydn Evans says the midfielder's lack
of action is a complete mystery and said: "The
whole situation is a complete mystery to us.
"To put things in perspective, David is fully
fit and is currently doing what he is paid to do as
a paid employee of Leeds United.
"There have been no tantrums, no sulks or anything
like that. David has made himself available for both
reserve team football and first team football.
"But at the moment it seems, for the first time
in his career, he is obviously about fifth choice
for a midfield slot and, although it's unsettling,
David will keep his head down and carry on working
hard.
"I would like to reiterate the fact he has two
years left on his contract and, not only now but as
with the rest of his career, all he wants to do is
play football for Leeds United."
Batty's Elland Road future could come to a head when
the transfer window re-opens in January, although
the player seems reluctant to leave his hometown club
for the second time in his career.
Venables added: "David is available for selection
like anybody else. His agent should come to me if
he wants to discuss anything."
