Batty still in Leeds exile

David Batty’s agent Hayden Evans does not appear encouraged by Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale’s view on the exiled midfielder’s Elland Road future.

Ridsdale announced at United’s annual general meeting in November that Batty was no longer capable of playing at the top level due to a series of knee injuries.

Ridsdale insisted that was the “unanimous” verdict of current manager Terry Venables, former boss David O’Leary, the club’s medical staff and independent medical advisors.

It prompted an angry response from Batty and Evans, who immediately began legal proceedings, and talks are still ongoing between lawyers representing both sides although it is hoped a satisfactory conclusion will be reached within the next month.

However, Ridsdale is understood to have said at a recent supporters’ club meeting: “If you’re asking would I play him (Batty), then yes I would, just to prove whether he can do it or not.”

Evans and Batty both feel the 34-year-old, who still has 16 months of his United contract still to run, is up to the task of playing in the Premiership.

Venables, though, clearly believes otherwise for Batty has not even been named as a substitute this season for a first-team match, while he also no longer trains with the senior squad.

Ridsdale’s comments are unlikely to lead to a change of heart by Venables and Evans said: “I’m sure it’s flattering for David, but it’s a shame he (Ridsdale) is not the manager.”

Assistant-manager Eddie Gray, meanwhile, is refusing to rule out the prospect of Leeds qualifying for Europe via the Premiership – although he has conceded it is now a long shot.

Leeds face the possibility of missing out on European football for the first time in six seasons, famously reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and Champions League in 2000 and 2001 respectively.

But just two years after the latter glorious campaign when they took on the continent’s elite, Venables’ side are now threatened with participation in the Intertoto Cup next season.

Their only hopes of avoiding such an ignominious start to the campaign are via the FA Cup, either winning the tournament in May or finishing as runners up to either Arsenal or Chelsea, or claiming a top-six league place.

However, Leeds are currently languishing in 14th in the Premiership, 11 points adrift of the current sixth-placed club, surprise package Charlton.

Gray, though, feels such a route is not beyond the realms of possibility, despite the fact Leeds still have to play Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in the closing weeks of the season.

“I know we’ve the FA Cup to come (they meet Sheffield United in the sixth round), but we’ve still got to look at our league position and see how far we can go there,” said Gray.

“When there’s games to play, you never rule out qualifying for the UEFA Cup via the league, regardless of who you are playing.

“However, we’ve still a lot of the top teams to play, so it will be difficult.”