According to Phil Hay of the YEP, Michael Tongue could be back at Leeds within the next 48 hours. Hay tweeted this claim tonight, if true will the deal be done in time for the trip to rock- bottom Barnsley and is Tonge the signing the official Leeds website claimed we were close to clinching earlier?

Tonge was reasonably successful during a three-month loan spell at Leeds making 22 appearances, however his 93 days were up at Christmas and with a heavy heart he returned to Stoke.

However it is understood Leeds will unveil him as a permanent signing having agreed a nominal fee and an 18 month deal according to Phil Hay.

One midfielder who won't be coming back to Leeds is Jerome Thomas, the winger revealed today he is 100% committed to West Brom and admits he came to Leeds purely to get some games.

Whether or not Tonge is signed in time for Barnsley on Saturday remains to be seen, however it appears Leeds will not be facing a repeat of a bizarre event which happened in November 1990 involving former England captain Terry Butcher.

The then Rangers defender had been linked with a move to Leeds prior to our away game at Coventry, however he arrived at Highfield Road on the Saturday as the Sky Blues manager!

Fast forward 22 years and the 54-year-old Inverness boss has reportedly snubbed the Tykes offer of succeeding Keith Hill.

Butcher is the second manager in a matter of days to reject a move to Oakwell following ex Forest boss Sean o'Driscoll turning them down also.

Barnsley may now turn to their former captain and our very own Neil Redfearn who now is amongst the front-runners alongside present caretaker boss David Flitcroft and Gary Megson.

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls