Alan Hutton's £40,000-a-week too much for Aston Villa

The claret and blues chief has confirmed for the first time financial reasons are behind Hutton's banishment.

The Scotland international – who has been called up by Gordon Strachan to face Poland next month – is on £40,000-a-week at Villa Park.

Hutton has not played for Lambert at Villa with his last appearance coming under Alex McLeish at Tottenham in May, 2012.

And Lambert admitted the right-back, whose contract expires in 2015, will not play again as they look to get him off the wage bill.

"It will be unlikely he will ever play here – he knows that. We need to get the structure down to a level," said Lambert, who has also shipped out big earners Stephen Ireland and Darren Bent.

"Is it all to do with money? More or less yes. Do we settle up with him? No, I'm not so sure, that comes down to the hierarchy.

"We have to look at the books and get it down a bit and Alan understands. There are no issues with him but Alan understands the situation. There's never been a problem.

"Finances are the way they are, that's nobody's fault, it's just the way football is."

Hutton had a 17-game loan spell at Real Mallorca last year but was unable to agree a permanent deal after they were relegated from La Liga. He also went to Nottingham Forest on loan but has yet to find a new club and is training with the development squad.

"The thing I can't understand is why no-one has come in for him," said Lambert.

"It's baffling me because he's playing well for the national side, is good and works hard in training.

"Even if Alan went on loan we would help on that (financial) side of things. I spoke to him the other day about this.

"I've had good conversations with Alan. Every time he has played for Scotland he has done well. He understands the situation here. There's never been any fall-out, I just want to help him to get a loan move.

"I've been to a couple of Scotland games and you would think someone will come in. The lad has to play."