GARETH FARRELLY has rejected a new three and a half year contract offer from Aston Villa manager Brian Little.

The Republic of Ireland international, whose current deal ends in the summer, is frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities.

Farrelly (21), who joined Villa five years ago as a schoolboy, has been a substitute more than a dozen times this season without tasting any action.

Now, although he has not formally asked for a transfer Farrelly believes it is in his best interests to move elsewhere.

Farrelly said: "I just want to play first-team football. My chances of doing that here at Villa are limited and there is no way I can compete with the cheque book.

"I feel I have waited patiently for my chance, but having rejected the contract, it's time to find out what football thinks of me.

. Rangers, already reeling from their Scottish Cup defeat by Celtic on Thursday, were further hit yesterday by the news that they will be without two key players for the league clash between the rivals tomorrow week.

Paul Gascoigne faces 10 days in plaster following his ankle injury sustained in the recent six-a-side tournament in Amsterdam and Danish striker Erik Bo Andersen is out for a month after suffering a hairline fracture to his skull in Thursday's 2-0 defeat.

. Crystal Palace and Norwich were both fined £40,000 yesterday for the 21-player brawl at Carrow Road in December 1996.