WILKO CONSIDERING LEGAL ACTION

The Leeds midfielder, who played under Wilkinson for five years during the late 1980s and early '90s, was particularly critical of the Football Association's technical director in his autobiography - serialised in the News of the World.

Wilkinson is particularly upset at comments attributed to him, claiming he criticised Billy Bremner.

"The comments made by David Batty are extremely disappointing," Wilkinson said.

"I particularly resent and completely deny allegations made regarding alleged comments made about Billy Bremner's management.

"I wish to make it public that at no time whatsoever have I either written or spoken any implied criticism of Billy's managerial skills at Leeds United or anywhere else.

"It is alarming that David Batty has chosen to make these public allegations he wrongly claims I've made about a man sadly no longer with us. Therefore I am considering my legal position on this matter.

"I would like to make it clear that under my management at Leeds United, we won the old Second Division in my first season in charge.

"We finished fourth the following year and won the league championship after that.

"David Batty was a first team regular during this period and was also capped at full and Under-21 level by England."