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EDITIONS

Saturday, 30 November, 2002, 10:04 GMT
Batty seeks legal advice
David Batty is to take legal advice over comments made by Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale at the club's annual general meeting.

David Batty
Batty has not figured in Terry Venables' plans

Batty has been out of favour since Terry Venables was appointed as successor to former manager David O'Leary.

And on Friday Ridsdale said Batty's knees were not strong enough to cope with the rigours of the Premiership.

He told the AGM: "All I can tell you is that Terry Venables has decided that David is no longer capable of playing at the top level.

"David O'Leary also said the same thing at a board meeting in May and I respect the views of Terry and the coaching staff.

"That is unanimous because of the problems with his knees that he has suffered."

But Batty's agent, Hayden Evans, hit out at Ridsdale for hinting that the Leeds midfielder was set for retirement.

He said: "Given that David Batty strongly refutes the majority of claims made by the chairman and has no intention of retiring, it is with regret that he will now be taking legal advice regarding the comments made by the club at the AGM."


All I want is a chance, and I think I deserve that chance once I'm fully fit
David Batty

Batty's second spell at Leeds has been blighted by a string of injury setbacks since signing from Newcastle in 1998.

He has not played for the club since 27 April.

But the former England midfielder, who turns 34 on Monday, insisted he was still capable of performing in the top flight.

He explained on local radio earlier in the week: "Maybe I could make a difference to Leeds or maybe I couldn't but most people get annoyed because I haven't been given a chance to prove it either way.

"They ask me what's going on and why Terry Venables doesn't put me in for one game. Then if I can't do it I'll never get a chance again.

"All I want is a chance, and in the light of the team's performances and results I think I deserve that chance once I'm fully fit."

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