Leeds look for Stewart loan deal after League rules block permanent switch

The 22-year-old could make his debut for Leeds at Hillsborough on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday if the 93-day loan is completed in time. A permanent deal cannot be completed until the summer because Stewart has already featured for both the Tigers and Charlton Athletic, where he has just completed a loan spell.

Football League regulations only allow players to feature for a maximum of two English clubs in one season.

United are hoping to reach an agreement which guarantees Stewart a permanent move when his deal at Hull expires in the summer.

Stewart played once for Hull in a League Cup tie against Leyton Orient in August and featured 18 times for Charlton during his recent spell on loan at The Valley.

Charlton signed the former Manchester United trainee on a standard half-season loan, taking his quota of clubs for the term to two. Emergency loans in the Football League do not count towards that quota, however, meaning Leeds are free to recruit him this month for 93 days.

Stewart’s arrival would be manager Brian McDermott’s first recruit in the January transfer window, and United are hinting strongly at the possibility of another arrival from a Premier League side before their trip to Hillsborough this weekend.

Stewart’s loan at Charlton ended with a New Year’s Day outing at Ipswich Town and the London club have offered him the chance to return to The Valley, backed by funds provided by new owner Roland Duchatelet.

One other Championship team have also shown an interest in Stewart but he looks increasingly likely to accept a switch to Leeds with a view to joining the club long-term at the end of the campaign.

His contract with Hull runs out in June and Stewart will be available on a free transfer during the close season unless City attempt to tie him to a new deal.

Meanwhile, Owls goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has revealed giving Stuart Gray the manager’s job on a permanent basis would be popular in the dressing room.

The caretaker chief, who has overseen a steady upturn in fortune, was expected to be handed the job by chairman Milan Mandaric this week.

However, a planned get-together between the two yesterday was shelved – meaning Gray is likely to still be in temporary charge of the weekend derby clash.

Kirkland said: “Speaking from the dressing room, we would all like Stuart to get it. We think he has done a great job.

“He has brought the group together and we have had some great results under him.

“I think the lads would really like him to get it. but, you know the way football is, it is the chairman’s decision.”