Two players on the outer fringes of Aston Villa squad have expressed their desire to leave the club.
Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and attacking midfielder Shaun Maloney have both become disillusioned with life at Villa Park and have spoken publicly about moving away.
While Maloney's failure to settle in the Midlands has been well documented, Sorensen's frustration at the lack of first team opportunities comes as bad news for manager Martin O'Neill.
After four seasons as first choice, the Dane has lost his place to loan signing Scott Carson and has now claimed he would rather take a wage cut and play regularly at another club than remain at Villa merely for the money.
"For me the most important thing is to play, I will never choose a higher salary ahead of that," Sorensen said. "In case I don't play anymore at Aston Villa, I am willing to accept a salary reduction to find the right club."
Sorensen, who remains as first choice for Denmark, was in sparking form at the weekend as he helped them claim a goalless draw against rivals Sweden. "I felt that I had something to prove, both for the national team and Aston Villa," he said.
But despite his off-field difficulties Maloney, who has started just six games since leaving Celtic in January, has remained committed to making his move to England work.
He spoke to O'Neill just as the last transfer window was about to close and was persuaded to fight for his place.
"I know what is said about players who have gone down south and come back quite quickly. You don't want to be seen as someone who has not achieved down there, but I guess I have got to be happy within myself what I do at Aston Villa," Maloney said.
"I can't blame anybody. I've made my bed and need to lie in it. Maybe I look at things deeper than I should but it is not like I am whinging. It is difficult for me. The transfer window has just shut and that is finished for now. Within a few days of that, I don't want to be talking about the next window.
"I guess I know what people want me to say. For the next however many months I will be trying all I can to get in the team."
