Ranger returns to Yorkshire as he and ex-Blade Treacy join Owls on loan deals

Ranger, who also played on loan for Barnsley this season, has appeared twice in court this week.

He was arrested on Monday night outside a casino in Newcastle and subsequently admitted breaching a bail order which had banned him from the city centre.

On Wednesday, he received a six-month conditional discharge after admitting a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Newcastle city centre five months ago.

The former England Under-19 international, now 20, is still awaiting trial on four charges of assault and was fined £6,000 by the Football Association this month over a homophobic comment made on the social networking site Twitter.

Former Sheffield United winger Keith Treacy also joined the Owls, on loan from Burnley, until the end of the season.

Both Treacy, who played for the Blades in a Steel City derby against the Owls three years ago, and Ranger have gone straight into the squad for tomorrow’s League One game at Leyton Orient.

Treacy, 23, played in the Premier League for first club Blackburn Rovers and spent six months on loan with the Blades before joining Preston North End in February 2010.

He signed a three-year deal with Burnley last summer but has started only 16 league games this season.

“As soon as I found out Dave Jones wanted me, there was no hesitation,” he said. “I’ve not been playing for Burnley so this is a great opportunity for me to hopefully get some football under the belt.

“I’m looking forward to playing again in a great football city. Thankfully we don’t have to play Sheffield United again this season – unless we meet in the play-offs - and if I have to, I will do my best against them.”

Owls striker Clinton Morrison has joined Brentford on loan until the end of the season.

Midfielder John Bostock, whose loan spell with Wednesday ended this week when he was recalled by Tottenham, has joined League Two Swindon Town on loan.

Blades manager Danny Wilson, meanwhile, landed Scottish Under-21 international winger Michael O’Halloran on loan from Bolton until the summer.

The Glaswegian, 21, is a product of Bolton’s youth academy and has made two appearances as substitute so far for the Premier League club.

A regular in Bolton’s reserves, O’Halloran recently signed a new three-and-a-half year deal at the Reebok Stadium.

“Michael is a player we’ve had our eye on for quite a while,” said Wilson. “He can play on either flank or in a central striker’s role and among his numerous attributes he has got blistering pace.”

Striker Kallum Higginbotham, 22, joined Barnsley on loan from Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield Town. He played previously for Barnsley manager Keith Hill at Rochdale and joined the Terriers only two months ago from Scottish club Falkirk.

He will stay on loan until the end of the season although there is a release clause in the deal after 28 days.

“With the strikers doing well, it would be hard for Kallum to get an opportunity in the short term,” said Town manager Simon Grayson. “He is keen to play first-team football and I want to see him in competitive action.

“For now, it is beneficial for everyone concerned if Kallum goes and plays football and it’s fantastic for us that he has that opportunity at such a good standard.We will keep a close eye on him.”

Barnsley manager Hill said: “He’s a very creative player – spontaneous and a box of tricks. He’s unpredictable and maybe we need that. We had him at Rochdale before he went to Falkirk where he was exceptional. He’s grown up and can get you a goal from nothing. He can play wide, he’s got a very good leap, he’s hungry, and his unpredictability can unlock doors.”

Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme extended his loan with Doncaster until the end of the season. Rovers duo James Chambers and James Baxendale have joined Hereford on loan.