Leeds have signed Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jake Livermore on loan until the end of the season, and at the same time have lent Adam Clayton out to MK Dons.

21 year-old Livermore has come through Spurs’ academy and has had previous spells on loan at Derby, MK Dons, Portsmouth and Ipswich, where he played against Leeds earlier in the season at Portman Road. He is a powerful centre midfield player, and presumably will play in front of the back four in a position where Leeds have looked at bit weak at times this season.

Simon Grayson said “Jake is a hungry young player who has gained good experience at this level.” And it’s possible that Leeds might look to sign him on a permanent basis if he’s impressive, especially if the club fail to agree terms with Bradley Johnson for a new contract.

But as one midfielder arrives another one departs, with Adam Clayton going to MK Dons for the rest of the season. He has featured four times for United this season and played eight games during an earlier loan spell at Peterborough. With the surplus of attacking midfield players in the squad he has found it impossible to break through into the first team, and Grayson clearly feels that he needs a different type of player in Livermore.

And on a busy day for Leeds in the midfield department, Jonny Howson has pulled out of the England Under-21 squad for Monday’s game against Iceland, because of a slight hamstring injury. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious and he’ll be back for the vital game at home to Forest the weekend after next.

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