Savage says Gray wrong to freeze out Batty

Robbie Savage has hit out at Eddie Gray’s decision to freeze David Batty out of his first team plans at Leeds United.

Birmingham midfielder Savage rates former England star Batty as the toughest player he has faced after Stuart Pearce.

And he has claimed that Gray’s stance could rebound on the United caretaker boss if he hits an injury crisis.

Savage, writing in the latest edition of Four Four Two magazine, said: “I feel very sorry indeed for David Batty who has been told by Eddie Gray that his Leeds career is over because he intends to play a 4-4-2 system from now on.

“It seems to me that Eddie has cut off his nose to spite his face because what will he do if he gets a few injuries?

“There may be more behind this decision than he’s let on. I don’t know but, next to Stuart Pearce, Batts is the toughest opponent I have faced.

“Batts was, and is, as tough as old boots and the 50-50 challenges we have shared over the years will be an abiding memory.

“I really hope this isn’t the last we see of him because he is a fantastic competitor and a bloke many admire. He will be hurting at the moment.”