Leeds and Bradford play waiting game as injury to Delph causes delay in payments

The 18-year-old midfielder, who left Elland Road for Aston Villa last August for a fee that could rise as high as 8m, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during training last weekend and will undergo surgery in the coming days.

Delph, who started his career at Valley Parade before moving to Leeds at the age of 12, being out of action until next year is bad news for both United and Bradford due to the structure of his transfer to the Midlands.

Under the terms of the initial 6m deal that saw the Bradford-born youngster move to Leeds, 12.5 per cent of any fee paid by Villa to the Elland Road club must be passed on to the League Two side.

So far, the Yorkshire Post understands the Bantams have earned around 800,000 from the transfer – an amount that could rise by another 200,000, depending on several add-ons.

For instance, an appearance-related clause that sees an extra amount paid every time the teenager plays for Villa was included in the deal.

So far, Delph has made 15 appearances but with the teenager now out for up to eight months it means both White Rose clubs will have to wait for additional money.

It is a similar tale with regards the clause covering future international honours, though one bright spot for Leeds and Bradford is that the deal to take Delph to Villa Park included several provisions for any on-field success that will be unaffected by the injury. Should Martin O'Neill's side, for instance, qualify for Europe this season then an additional sum will be paid to Leeds, who must then pass on the requisite 12.5 per cent to their West Yorkshire neighbours.

Delph, meanwhile, is facing up to an extended spell on the sidelines after a season in which he has struggled to make the breakthrough in the Premier League.

After moving to Villa on the eve of the new season, the teenager made his top-flight debut against Wigan on August 15 but lasted only an hour before being substituted.

He has since started just three league games, while his only goal came in January's 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup.

Delph's last appearance came on Easter Saturday as Villa beat Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, where he played for 75 minutes before being replaced by Steve Sidwell.

The lay-off is bad news for not only Leeds and Bradford, but also England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce as his side chase European Championship qualification.

Villa manager O'Neill said: "He loves the football and he just turned away from a couple of players, someone came in to close him down and he fell awkwardly. He will recover from it. These things were career threatening about a quarter of a century ago but nowadays players recover from them very well."