Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has responded to Mark Delaney's transfer request by saying that the club need to assess his fitness before they can contemplate a new deal.

Delaney has only six months remaining on his contact, although the club have a 12-month option clause that they can invoke within the next two months.

The Welsh international has become increasingly frustrated as he perceives Villa are dragging their feet over a new deal and aired his concerns forcefully on Wednesday.

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This failed to stir Villa into action and led to Delaney handing in a transfer request yesterday afternoon, accompanied by the following statement from his agent Richard Rosser.

"Due to Aston Villa's indecision regarding a new contract for Mark Delaney, Mark has handed in a written transfer request which was submitted to the club on Thursday." he said.

However, Villa's octogenarian chairman is convinced the club are adopting the right policy with Delaney given his recent injury history.

He has started only three Premiership matches this season because of injury problems and Ellis is adamant there will be no shift in the club's stance.

Ellis said: "I have written to Mark's agent to clarify the problem.

"And, as we are both aware, the club has a one-year option on his contract, which has to be activated by March 1 2006, if it is going to be taken.

"Bearing in mind that Mark has only just returned to action after the latest in a series of unfortunate injuries, I think it is reasonable that the club assess his fitness over the next two months.

That is exactly what we will be doing."

While Ellis' statement does not close the door on Delaney, it is increasingly apparent that Villa will not be offering their long-serving defender a lengthy contract.

However, David O'Leary, the Villa manager, intends to ensure Eirik Bakke's loan spell from Leeds continues until the end of this campaign.

Reports emanating from Yorkshire suggested that Bakke could be recalled at the end of next month but O'Leary poured cold water on any such notion.

"We badly need him until the end of the season," O'Leary said. "Look at our numbers. It will be a major blow if we don't have him and we have to sort it out with Leeds. However, I can't see that being a problem.

"He is coming on all the time. What he has needed, like Jonathan Woodgate at Real Madrid, is a run of sustained games after a long time out injured.

"Hopefully he will get that. He is getting stronger and he will prove a real solid player for us here."

But O'Leary has earmarked other areas of his side for improvement as he attempts to resurrect a stuttering campaign.

Specifically, he is beavering away to try to procure a commanding centre-half. A mirror image of himself 20 years ago would certainly fit the bill, as Liam Ridgewell is the only fit centre-half on his books.

Wantaway Delaney will partner Ridgewell against Everton, but O' Leary has targeted the centre of his defence as the priority.

However, suggestions that Robert Huth could be on the verge of arriving in a loan deal appear to be wide of the mark as Chelsea's loan 'fee' would be too prohibitive for Villa's meagre January transfer war-chest.

O'Leary said: "I am still trying to get a central defender in, big style. After Martin Laursen broke down and got injured, we've been badly lacking in that position all season.

"I'd love to bring someone in but the chairman says we can't and that's the end of the matter.

"I got given £10 million in the summer to spend, which was a good bit of money, and I bought in Milan Baros. So I know the position and I would love to get a loan player in." ..SUPL: