The Owls' board have sanctioned the loan deal to avert an early season defensive crisis at Hillsborough.

First choice right-back Frank Simek is still six weeks away from a return to action and the only other options are midfielder Steve Watson or left-back Peter Gilbert.

Wigan Athletic manager manager Steve Bruce has poured cold water on the possibility of midfielder Michael Brown returning to Sheffield United on loan.

"I keep hearing the Brown rumour but there's nothing in it," he said. "I don't see us doing anything before the transfer window shuts. We need a good squad and I've only got three central midfield players."

Brown, now 31, spent three years with the Blades under Neil Warnock before joining Tottenham Hotspur four years ago.

Doncaster Rovers midfielder Brian Stock is battling to shake off a back injury ahead of his side's weekend trip to Queen's Park Rangers.

Stock has been under-going intensive treatment and pulled out of the Welsh squad for last night's friendly game against Georgia.

Blades winger David Cotterill was promoted to the Welsh squad after originally being named in the Under-21 squad.