Delph is looking set for return to Leeds

The 20-year-old is available on loan after fully recovering from injury and the Yorkshire Post understands United manager Simon Grayson has already been in touch with Villa counterpart Alex McLeish.

West Ham United have also enquired after Delph, who left Elland Road in a deal that has so far earned Leeds almost £8m.

But the former Bradford City junior is believed to be keen to return to a club where he made 54 appearances before leaving in August, 2009.

Leeds could make it a double raid on Villa with Eric Lichaj, who spent part of last season on loan with them, also wanted by Grayson.

Lichaj has recently returned from surgery on a hip problem and the Premier League club are keen for the full-back to leave on a temporary basis to get himself fit.

Leeds are short of cover at right-back after Grayson dropped Paul Connolly, midfielder Zac Thompson having filled the role in recent weeks.

It is, however, the possible return of Delph that will most excite supporters as United look ahead to back-to-back home games against Ipswich Town and Birmingham City following a 1-1 draw at 10-man Crystal Palace.

Asked about possible new arrivals in the wake of the stalemate at Selhurst Park, assistant manager Glynn Snodin said: “We are looking to bring one or two in. We need to strengthen the squad for the final push and, hopefully, in the next five or seven days we can get them in.

“We want lads in who are first-team players. We don’t want fringe players, we learned that last season.

“When you want to kick on and get in the top six you need the right lads in. We don’t panic buy and we want to push on as a club.”

Leeds have made two additions in the transfer window, Danny Pugh’s switch from Stoke City having been made permanent in a £500,000 deal and Andros Townsend having arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Both played against Palace and were instrumental in Palace midfielder Sean Scannell being dismissed during the first half.

A scything challenge on Townsend in the 13th minute earned Scannell his first yellow card, and Pugh was tripped from behind on the stroke of half-time to incur a second caution.

On the red card, Snodin said: “To be fair, I thought the first yellow card was fair enough but the second one probably didn’t merit one.

“But once they were down to 10 men we took control and could have won it.

“We were disappointed with the first 10 minutes when we looked cold. We were slow coming out of the traps and they got the goal (through Chris Martin).

“But after that we pulled ourselves together and started to control the game. It was a great equaliser for Robert Snodgrass.

“It has been awful for the lad lately (Snodgrass missed a fortnight due to an operation on his appendix). But he got back nice and early. He got a goal and looked sharp.”