Batty denies he has quit Blackburn

DAVID BATTY'S Blackburn Rovers future remained unclear last night as the England midfielder denied walking out on the English Premiership champions.

Speaking through his agent, the 27 year old, who has been linked with leaders Newcastle United and his former club Leeds United, said he was "absolutely annoyed and angered" at newspaper reports suggesting he had quit the club.

"He totally refutes the stories in today's newspapers," said agent Paul Stretford, yesterday. "He is annoyed at what has been printed - we don't know where it came from."

Stretford said Batty would be making no further comment and, asked whether he would be reporting for training as usual in future, added: "If you have any further questions, ask Blackburn manager Ray Harford."

But Blackburn were equally, tight lipped over the player, who, has been the subject of transfer speculation since his onfield bust up with team mate Graeme, Le Saux in Moscow in December.

He was left out of the Blackburn side for last weekend's win over Sheffield Wednesday because of a "heel injury" but failed to attend the match and was not at training yesterday.

When pressed on stories of Batty walking out of the club, a spokesman would only say: "David trained here on Wednesday."

Club owner Jack Walker is believed to have blocked a proposed Pounds 4 million transfer to Premiership leaders Newcastle but Leeds chairman Leslie Silver stressed yesterday: "We are not interested in signing David Batty."