Hendrie hopes to settle future

Thursday 17th May 2007, 11:58AM BST.

leehendriepa1.jpegLee Hendrie hopes to sort his future out this weekend as he prepares for life after Villa.

The long-serving midfielder’s contract at Villa runs out at the end of next month and he is resigned to ending his time at the club where he has spent 13 years.

Hendrie, who turns 30 tomorrow, has no part in manager Martin O’Neill’s plans, but ideally would prefer to stay in the Premiership and in the Midlands.

The chances of either happening appear remote, but Championship side Stoke, where he spent much of last season on loan, remain a possible destination.

A board meeting was being held at the Potteries club today when boss Tony Pulis was hoping to find out whether he can pursue two targets, one of which is Hendrie.

Read the full story in the Express & Star.

leehendriepa1.jpegLee Hendrie hopes to sort his future out this weekend as he prepares for life after Villa.

The long-serving midfielder’s contract at Villa runs out at the end of next month and he is resigned to ending his time at the club where he has spent 13 years.

Hendrie, who turns 30 tomorrow, has no part in manager Martin O’Neill’s plans, but ideally would prefer to stay in the Premiership and in the Midlands.

The chances of either happening appear remote, but Championship side Stoke, where he spent much of last season on loan, remain a possible destination.

A board meeting was being held at the Potteries club today when boss Tony Pulis was hoping to find out whether he can pursue two targets, one of which is Hendrie.

The midfielder said: “I’ve got a meeting at the end of this week with my agent and things should become clearer tomorrow.

“I know a few clubs are interested, but nothing concrete has been said to me as yet. So, I suppose I’m still in the same situation.

“People have been talking to clubs on my behalf. Stoke have mentioned about signing permanently, and I have to speak to them.

“If possible I’d like to stay in the Premiership. There was interest from abroad earlier this season (Ajax) and it’s now a case of seeing if that still stands.

“I’d prefer to stay in the Midlands, but if not then I have no problem in moving.

“Stoke were good to me. I got some niggling injuries towards the end, and it’s a different league down there in the Championship.”



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