Merson's fitness puts Villa future in doubt

ASTON VILLA skipper Paul Merson's future could be in doubt after he admitted he had returned from the summer break "not fit enough" to play in Sunday's Intertoto Cup match with FC Zurich.

Merson had been earmarked for a key role in Switzerland, especially with Villa missing all of their World Cup stars.

But he told Villa manager Graham Taylor that he was under-prepared for the game despite having been given a fitness programme along with the rest of the squad aimed at having them ready for the early start to the season in Europe.

Taylor is publicly insisting there is “no problem” with Merson, who was dogged by injury problems last season.

But it remains to be seen whether Merson’s failure in not being ready for the new campaign will count against him.

The 34-year-old player is already entering the last year of his current contract with Villa and has previously admitted that he did not expect to receive another one.

Meanwhile, Leicester manager Micky Adams has confirmed that the club’s long-serving captain Matt Elliott has been given a free transfer by the cash-strapped club.

Elliott has been told he can leave the Foxes because of their current financial plight if another club shows an interest in acquiring his services.

City’s position means they have to off-load several players after their relegation from the Premiership and Robbie Savage (Birmingham) and Gary Rowett (Charlton) have already left.

The Scotland defender, who signed a new four-year contract at the start of last season, joined City from Oxford for a then club record fee midway through the 1996-97 campaign.

He was a key figure in City’s six-year stay in the top flight and in winning the League Cup on two occasions.

Adams said: “I can confirm that Matt Elliott has been given a free transfer. I have told him that it is a financial rather than a footballing decision.”

Meanwhile, Leicester are continuing their investigation into an incident involving Dennis Wise and Callum Davidson on the pre-season tour of Finland.

Wise was sent home and is currently suspended after an incident which left Davidson with a double fracture of the cheekbone.