Ridgewell in limbo at Villa Park

Jun 27 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

LIAM Ridgewell's future at Villa remains in the balance with the player set to return to training a week today in a state of limbo.

Blues are interested in signing the former England Under-21 centre-back, who has told Martin O'Neill that, sensing he is not part of the manager's plans, he wants out if a move can be arranged.

O'Neill, who will offer fresh terms to Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen, is on the look-out for at least one centre-back this summer, and possibly two with clubs also circling Gary Cahill.

Ridgewell has two years left of a three-year deal he signed just over 12 months ago and would command a fee in the region of £1.5million to £2million.

But there is a complication in that Villa would have to pay former club West Ham 15 per cent of any transfer fee.

His £17,000-a-week wages would not be a problem to Blues but would rule out any club outside the top flight.

O'Neill flew back from holiday yesterday but is not expected to be back behind his desk until later this week.

Blues have been busy elsewhere and know that Ridgewell is a realistic target.

Steve Bruce is also away and opting to take a back seat in transfer negotiations, much to Ridgewell's frustration.

Ridgewell, who turns 23 next month, was the subject of a flurry of initial interest at the start of the summer. But he has seen a potential move to Derby County wane with Billy Davies instead keen on Sheffield United's Claude Davis.

Ridgewell joined Villa six years ago and signed professional forms in December 2002, making his debut under Graham Taylor as a substitute in the home FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers in January 2003.

He was a member of the victorious FA Youth Cup-winning team against Everton in 2002 when he marked Wayne Rooney out of the game.