Buckley’s loan spell at Elland Road could be cut short

Buckley joined the Whites on a 93-day loan on Friday but his contract states that Sunderland can recall him after his first 28 days at Elland Road.

That appeared unlikely with Buckley not in Dick Advocaat’s plans but the resignation of the Dutchman opens the possibility of Buckley getting a new chance with the Premier Division strugglers.

Buckley has not played for the Wearsiders since May last year but has made a total of 24 appearances for Sunderland and the 25-year-old could interest the likes of Sam Allardyce who is a strong favourite to succeed Advocaat.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche, former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson and recently sacked Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers are other names prominent for the Black Cats post in the betting but Buckley cannot be recalled within the first 28 days of his Whites loan spell.

That means the winger will definitely be available for the hosting of Brighton and Hove Albion on October 17 plus the away trips to Fulham and Bolton which precede the home clash with Blackburn Rovers on the last Thursday of this month.

Buckley made a quiet debut in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at home to Birmingham City which extended United’s winless home run to 10 games, a joint club record.

Leeds also went ten games without a home win in 1981-82, the season in which they were relegated from Division One.

Ironically, United broke the winless Elland Road sequence that season by beating Brighton – United’s next visitors to Elland Road a week on Saturday.