Leeds United v Colchester United: McSheffrey in to strengthen title challenge

League one: SIMON GRAYSON believes Gary McSheffrey's Premier League quality can get Leeds's promotion challenge back on track.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Jan 2010, 23:43 BST

Updated 29th Jan 2010, 23:43 BST

The 27-year-old striker has joined United on loan from Birmingham City for the rest of the season after falling out of favour with Alex McLeish.

McSheffrey, who joined the Blues from Coventry City for 4m in 2006, was one of the main transfer targets for Grayson, who, according to sources in the Midlands, is also tracking Aston Villa's highly-rated defender Shane Lowry.

The Leeds manager said: "Gary brings plenty of experience and is a good signing. He is coming from the Premier League to League One and he will add quality to the squad. "He is a threat, he can play a number of positions and we are delighted to have him here."

Leeds have not won in the league since the turn of the year but Grayson insists: "Confidence levels are still high and the game can't come quickly enough."