PAUL McGRATH has been told he can leave Aston Villa. Coventry City manager Ron Atkinson, who is looking for an experienced defender to try to stop the alarming number of goals his side have conceded, is expected to move in for the veteran Republic of Ireland international defender for a fee of around £200,000.

McGrath will be 37 later this year, but still believes he is capable of playing both this season and next. However, he has not figured in the first team plans of the Aston Villa manager Brian Little so far this season. McGrath said last night: "Obviously I am not happy with the situation, although I have no disagreement with the manager. There is no question of me asking for a transfer.

"However, at my age it is no good being out of the action. I am not getting any younger. I played just one reserve game at the start of the season and I have not kicked a ball in anger since.

"The manager has reassured me that I am still part of his plans, but I appreciate that I have three very good defenders ahead of me in Gareth Southgate, Ugo Ehiogu and Steve Staunton. The only way I can get back into the side is for one of them to be injured, and I would not want that to happen.

Tranmere Rovers have also shown an interest in signing McGrath, but the Coventry manager is expected to complete the deal before the weekend.

Meanwhile, the former Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson has asked FIFA, football's world governing body, to intervene in a dispute between himself and his Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Atkinson, who joined Fenerbahce for £600,000 a year ago, has refused to return to Turkey for the new season, claiming he is owed around £100,000 in wages. Fenerbahce are refusing to hand over the money until Atkinson returns to the club.

Now FIFA have stepped in. A spokesman said last night: "We have been asked to intervene on behalf of the player. The situation is very confusing, so we have requested statements from both parties to try to clarify the situation."