Leeds United Football Club - Gray Drops Batty Bombshell
Eddie Gray today revealed that David Batty will not feature in his first team plans for the remainder of the season.
Batty, whose United contract lapses this summer, has made 12 starts this season for the first team after being frozen out during Terry Venables' tenure at the helm, and given a chance again by Peter Reid when he took over as manager.
Eddie told Leedsunited.com, "I've made the decision that I won't play David for the rest of this season, purely from a footballing point of view.
"I had a chat to David, he knows how I feel, and I think it's been a little frustrating for him as well, especially in the last three or four weeks, so I just told David what I feel, and we'll leave it at that.
"He's been a great player at this club, and for his other clubs, but I had to make a decision I felt was the right one."
Batty started his career with Leeds after joining from local side Tingley Athletic, signing apprentice forms in July 1985, and after a fractured ankle delayed his debut, he finally played in his first game for United against Swindon Town in November 21, 1987. He went on to win the old First Division title under Howard Wilkinson and was a huge influence on that side.
There were some protests when Batty was sold to Blackburn in 1993, he won the Premiership with them and later moved on to Newcastle before going full circle and signing for United again when he became David O'Leary's first signing as Leeds manager in December 1998 for £4.4million.
The midfielder was dropped by O'Leary's successor, Terry Venables and did not feature at all last season. He missed out on a recall to the team when Peter Reid took over due to injury.
This season he has been limited to 12 starts and has not featured in the first team since the 1-0 Premiership defeat by Newcastle United on January 7.
Meanwhile, Jamie McMaster has extended his loan spell at Chesterfield. The young striker has scored twice in his last two league games for the Spireites.
Eddie Gray today revealed that David Batty will not feature in his first team plans for the remainder of the season.
Batty, whose United contract lapses this summer, has made 12 starts this season for the first team after being frozen out during Terry Venables' tenure at the helm, and given a chance again by Peter Reid when he took over as manager.
Eddie told Leedsunited.com, "I've made the decision that I won't play David for the rest of this season, purely from a footballing point of view.
"I had a chat to David, he knows how I feel, and I think it's been a little frustrating for him as well, especially in the last three or four weeks, so I just told David what I feel, and we'll leave it at that.
"He's been a great player at this club, and for his other clubs, but I had to make a decision I felt was the right one."
Batty started his career with Leeds after joining from local side Tingley Athletic, signing apprentice forms in July 1985, and after a fractured ankle delayed his debut, he finally played in his first game for United against Swindon Town in November 21, 1987. He went on to win the old First Division title under Howard Wilkinson and was a huge influence on that side.
There were some protests when Batty was sold to Blackburn in 1993, he won the Premiership with them and later moved on to Newcastle before going full circle and signing for United again when he became David O'Leary's first signing as Leeds manager in December 1998 for £4.4million.
The midfielder was dropped by O'Leary's successor, Terry Venables and did not feature at all last season. He missed out on a recall to the team when Peter Reid took over due to injury.
This season he has been limited to 12 starts and has not featured in the first team since the 1-0 Premiership defeat by Newcastle United on January 7.
Meanwhile, Jamie McMaster has extended his loan spell at Chesterfield. The young striker has scored twice in his last two league games for the Spireites.