No extortionate fee for Delaney

Mark Delaney has been assured by Aston Villa they will not demand a prohibitive fee if his seven-year spell at the club comes to an end in the summer.

The Welsh international defender has made it clear he sees his future away from Villa, who took up only a 12-month option on his contract rather than offering him the long-term deal he desired.

Twenty-nine-year-old Delaney reports Villa boss David O’Leary has told him he can leave in the close season if an offer comes in for his services.

But Villa will not be asking an extortionate amount for the former Cardiff player.

In a statement to PA Sport, Delaney said: “Further to discussions between the board of Aston Villa Football Club and my representative, the situation regarding my future at the club has now been clarified.

“The board have made it very clear that I am part of the club’s plans for the next 16 months.

“However, if another club is prepared to give me the opportunity of a long-term deal the club will not be unreasonable in its demands for a transfer fee.

“I would like to thank the board frothier understanding in this matter.”

O’Leary expressed his disappointment after Saturday’s goalless draw at Charlton in Delaney choosing to go public on his feelings and is understood to have made that clear in talks with the player.

Meanwhile, Delaney is still battling to be available for Saturday’s home match against Portsmouth – after missing the trip to The Valley because of the knee injury he suffered in the FA Cup tie with Manchester City.

If he is ruled out then O’Leary will have to pair the rookie partnership of Liam Ridgewell and Gary Cahill against Pompey – because captain Olof Mellberg is suspended.