Leeds United: Debut postponed for new signing Bridcutt

Liam Bridcutt has joined Sunderland on loan

Liam Bridcutt has been denied the chance to make his Leeds United debut in tonight’s clash with Cardiff City after the club failed to complete his move from Sunderland in time.

The midfielder is poised to join Leeds on an emergency loan until January but United missed the 12pm deadline set for him to feature at Elland Road this evening.

Leeds and Sunderland are understood to have agreed a deal but the move is still to be signed off at both ends.

Bridcutt, 26, is expected to finalise his transfer ahead of Saturday’s Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield Town.

The former Brighton player is out of favour at the Stadium of Light and has been targeted by United head coach Steve Evans following Leeds’ recent poor run of form.

Evans refused to disclose Bridcutt’s identity yesterday but confirmed that he was close to a signing.

Evans said: “We’ve identified a number of players in each position and my first choice in this department of this team would be the one that we’re very close to.”