American striker moves north on-loan.

Mike Grella has moved to Carlisle United on a month's loan.

It is understood that Simon Grayson has been looking to lend the 23-year-old striker out for sometime. Grayson finally got his wish on Tuesday when the forward agreed a temporary move to Brunton Park.

He will of course like up with another player who's parent club is Leeds in Lubo Michaelik.

Whether or not Grella's long-term career-prospects at Leeds are as grim as Lubo's remain to be seen. Reading Grayson's comments on lufc.com, it appears he is hoping for a similar result to the one he had with Davide Somma last season.

Somma has successfully converted a loan-spell at Lincoln into six Championship goals this season. Arguably "Somma-time" as the fans call it have contributed to Grella being restricted to just two substitute appearance sthis season, ironically the last one being against Lincoln in the Carling Cup.

With Luciano Becchio, Ross McCormack recently signed and Billy Paynter on the verge of making his first proper start for Leeds, Grella is some-way down the pecking order.

Looking at his stats from lufc.com, I did not realise he has made 42 appearances in total for Leeds (33 as sub) and scored five goals, so maybe there is some potential there and he can go up to Carlisle, do well and give Grayson an even bigger selection headache when he comes back.

Grella was of course the man who saved us from the humiliation of being humbled at home against Kettering in last season's FA Cup 2nd round with a two-goal salvo in extra-time to see us through to our now legendary tie with Manchester United.

Photo: Action Images

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