TWTD understands that Leeds striker or winger Noel Hunt is expected at Town on Thursday morning to complete the formalities on a loan deal through to January, the clubs having agreed terms. The switch is with a view to a permanent move.

Earlier this afternoon, reports in Yorkshire revealed that the Blues had made an approach for Hunt, a long-time target of Town boss Mick McCarthy. In September, TWTD reported that the Blues manager had been keen on signing the 31-year-old - the younger brother of winger Stephen Hunt - earlier in the summer.

Hunt junior, who will train with his new team-mates at Playford Road for the first time in the morning, started his career in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers and with hometown club Waterford United, where he had a spell on loan, before moving on to Scotland where he played for Dunfermline and Dundee United.

Capped three times by Ireland, Hunt joined Reading in July 2008, before following his former Royals’ boss Brian McDermott to Elland Road in the summer of 2013.

Hunt, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has made only one start and one sub appearance so far this season, both in the opening week of the campaign.

Overall, he has made 14 starts and eight sub appearances for the Whites without scoring having missed much of last season due to injury.

Town's signing of Hunt means the Blues are now unlikely to pursue their interest in 19-year-old Chelsea midfielder John Swift, who has been training at Playford Road this week.

Football League clubs have until 5pm on Thursday to sign players on emergency loans.

Town also have Ireland international defender Sean St Ledger on trial and the 29-year-old may be offered a short-term contract through to January, although there is no hurry to agree a deal for the former Leicester man as he is currently a free agent.

Photo: Action Images

menacinho added 19:05 - Nov 26 Bent will apparently cost Brighton £40K a week, so that answers the question as to why we have not gone in for him. I for one don't want us pinning our hopes on trying to relive a bygone era by spending that kind of money on a loan striker. Noel Hunt? On the face of it not exciting, but he may just need a change of club; perhaps the Irish connections and his brother being here will help. Yes, not all of MM's signings have been a success, but let's judge him AFTER we have seen him.

7

brassy added 19:05 - Nov 26 seaside, john & ken orouke?
1

GerkensBeard added 19:31 - Nov 26 It goes to show that some of our fans are far more interested and more comments are made on when a questionable signing is made rather than to the Bournemouth result of coming from behind twice to get a draw. Bonkers
8

virginblue added 19:41 - Nov 26 For all of those condemning this signing before watching him play, take 5 minutes and ask Forest fans what they thought of Didsy.
11

Samassi100Abou added 19:50 - Nov 26 Ask a Leeds fan and they will laugh, prob because he can't get in the side as he's not Italian, ask a reading fan what they think of him and they will say he's a Legend, let's be honest if didz gets an injury, are we going to play 3 big lumps up front in Murphy, bajner, sammon ?? "One mans rubbish is another's treasure" have faith he will get goals from his work rate, plus it's a loan deal always good as 110% goes into it to win a contact MM hasn't done wrong yet ( well apart from Frank Shin Nouble )

7

Samassi100Abou added 19:52 - Nov 26 And as for bent are some of you mad, he's wage for 2 days is the cost of our squad.
3

walberswicks added 19:52 - Nov 26 as we're scraping the barrel why not emile heskey?
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walberswicks added 19:57 - Nov 26 if we hadn't signed Collison , Stewart , Wordsworth, SEB, Nouble, Salmon, Baijner, Richardson , Green , Hensall, the young lad from Villa we could have signed Bent
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 20:03 - Nov 26 Reasons why its a good signing; Mick knows his Irish players Will be back up to the 1st team plays wing or up front probably free transfer (if signed) cheap loan as well Sammon is shocking and will be going back something to prove
3

blueboy1981 added 20:09 - Nov 26 Speechless ........... this one hardly ticks a single box, but Collison didn't either to be honest - so not totally surprised I suppose knowing MM - just a reminder to some that he doesn't always get it right. Have to say, I predicted we would see very little, or nothing,, of Collison - as has been proved - many words, very little action.
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blueboy1981 added 20:13 - Nov 26 .......... St Ledger........ different proposition altogether - lost his way a bit recently, but very much worth a chance to prove himself at Portman Road.
7

Samassi100Abou added 20:45 - Nov 26 some people slating his signings unbelievable, look where we are in the table and how little we've spent, the man is a genius regardless where we end up at the end of the season. You have to take a gamble on some players even if they have had a "sick note history" when you haven't got millions to spend you have to get freebies and most decent free agents are free agents as they have had long term injuries

5

BlueandTruesince82 added 20:46 - Nov 26 Blueboy! Wehay! he ain't going to cost much and with his bro here who knows. If hes here coz Sammon is offski thats better. We cant afford bent but have to say I'd be amazed if Brighton are stumping up 40k a week for him. How the hell can they afford that. an owner worth 700 mil makes no odds with FFP btw. I feel there must be a hungry youngster out there but as Veseli and (as it stands, give him time) Henshall show. As surco says all managers sign duds. Case in point Fergie signed Taibi, Eric Djemba Djemba, Karl Poporsky, Jordi Cruyff, Anderson and thats off the top of my head Not convinced Smalling and Jones should be anywhere near a top prem side either. i do worry if MCG or Murphinio get injured so think we need coverage up front, whether Noel is the right man IDK but in Mick we Trust and we're 4th so no reason not to.....

5

EatonBlue added 20:55 - Nov 26 Two Hunts are better than one.
2

Steelmonkey added 20:57 - Nov 26 Come on guys lets see what he can do before you blow him out of the water, If he has the same workrate as his brother he will put a decent shift in. I wasn't at all happy with some of the performances of Stephen last season nearly every ball played into him pinged off him like a scolded cat, but he seems a different player in the games he has played for us this season so far. COYB's.

4

dusth added 21:22 - Nov 26 Leeds is a crazy and disfunctional place right now. Anyone they want to get rid of is ok by me. And as the man said he was a good player for Reading. Watch him play and comment then. If he gets in the team. The current management are too smart to mess up. At worst it is a nothing mistake.
3

dusth added 21:25 - Nov 26 Get the joke Walberswicks. Not the picture he would chose I guess.
0

DerryfromBury added 21:50 - Nov 26 I know as fans we are supposed to put our trust in MM &TC to make the right decision with the best interest of the club at heart, but, I really struggle to understand why we seem to keep spending average wages on average players in the twilight years of their careers, most of whom might be lucky and put in an appearance for the U21 or reserves but never likely to play in the fist team. Surely wouldn't it be better to consolidate all these average wages and take a punt on a Premiership player with a proven record.

1

rexron added 22:02 - Nov 26 Relax guys. Its just a couple of months and will only play if we have injuries or if Mick judge him as good enough. I trustMick.
4

Hiltzkooler added 22:14 - Nov 26 I was one of those that slated McCarthy for his handling of Taylor and how he deployed him...in retrospect Mick was 100% right hence my support for him for signing Hunt...would agree with many seems a curious one, but you know what, there is a logic to Micks management....curiously dinosaur, but inspiringly old school....I believe in Mick...(well, until we get promoted)....!!!!!

1

stormypetrel added 22:29 - Nov 26 Signing Bent! .....ridiculous wages, ridiculous supersistion ....people moan about the prima doña signed in Jewell's reign...what is Bent if not a prima doña ?...certainly overpaid and certainly a wasted talent....
4

vodkaboy added 22:49 - Nov 26 Tip for Saturday - Darren Bent has scored on his debut for every club he has played for so get on that - I agree with all strange signing and yea would have Benty back but would not think McCarthy would want to drop McGoldrick for him as similar player. Hunt is a back up but with him and Salmon it's not quality backup!
1

Tractorog added 22:53 - Nov 26 Well this will be interesting... if he is any good 50% of the fans are going to have to admit they were wrong and 50% if he is useless. I suggest Gav sets up a "I think he'll be useless ometer" visible on everyones profile page for their views on each new player. Then see how long it takes for them to change their mind. then we might find out how right some of the all mouth and no trousers pundits actually are.

2

bluemikey100 added 22:56 - Nov 26 its xmas so thats why signed noel
3

Luka added 23:38 - Nov 26 F*** me there ain't half some negativity on here. Bring back Taylor? Comic Relief ain't til March
1

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