Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has rejected claims that he has fallen out with defender Alan Hutton.
The 29-year old right-back has not played for Villa since May 2012 and has been sent out on loan on two occasions - both last season - with Nottingham Forest and Mallorca.
The fact that Hutton, who was again selected by Scotland this week, has not featured for the West Midlands club suggests there might be a rift between he and Lambert but the boss insists that is not the case.
"I've had good conversations with Alan and in the games I've seen him play for Scotland he's done well," said Lambert of Hutton who reportedly earns £40,000 a week at Villa Park.
"It would be unlikely that he would play. He knows that anyway. We haven't fallen out.
"We need to get the (wage) structure down to a level. There's never been any fall-out, I've actually tried to help him get a loan move.
"I've been to a couple of Scotland games and seen him do well. You'd think somebody would come in for him. The lad has to play."
Hutton has another season left on his contract which has prompted Lambert to call for any interested clubs to come forward for him this summer.
"I wouldn't have thought it could carry on for another 12 months, into next season," he added.
"I wouldn't want that for him. We need someone to come in for him."
