WITH his prospects of a firstteam return all but non-existent, Sunderland full-back George McCartney will sign a new loan deal with Leeds United this week.

McCartney’s current spell at Elland Road expires this morning, with Leeds already having agreed a two-day extension to enable him to play in last night’s home game with Cardiff City.

Whites boss Simon Grayson has been impressed with the Northern Ireland international’s impact in the last month, and spoke with Black Cats boss Steve Bruce last week in an attempt to keep him in West Yorkshire until the turn of the year.

Sunderland have been short of left-backs in recent weeks, with Kieran Richardson’s hamstring injury forcing Bruce to field Phil Bardsley on the left-hand side, even though he has spent the majority of his career on the opposite flank.

But Bruce continues to view McCartney as surplus to requirements on Wearside, and will give the 29-year-old the green light to remain at Elland Road later this week.

“I’ve been delighted with George,” said Grayson. “He’s shown the qualities that made him the Premier League player he is and worth the money he’s gone for in the past.

“He’ll get better with more time on the pitch. You always want to keep good players, and I’ve spoken to Steve. If there’s a deal to be done then he’s somebody I’d like to keep.”

A new loan agreement should be concluded this week, and Grayson is expected to look into the possibility of signing McCartney permanently in January.

Sunderland will be more than willing to release the defender, but will attempt to recoup a portion of the £4.5m they shelled out to re-sign him little more than two years ago.

In McCartney’s absence, Bardsley has acquitted himself creditably at left-back, and the newly-capped Scotland international will remain in the starting line-up when the Black Cats travel to St James’ Park this weekend.

Richardson could also be available for the opening North-East derby of the season, despite having suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring problem last week.

The England international’s hopes of featuring against Aston Villa were scuppered when he felt a twinge in his hamstring on the training ground, but he is confident of being available to face Newcastle on Sunday.

However, with Bardsley having contributed to three successive clean sheets, Bruce will not be changing his back four unless an injury forces him into a rethink.

“The clean sheets are down to getting used to playing with players and getting to know each other,” said Bardsley. “We have a good understanding.

“I am playing left side with Titus (Bramble) and Nedum (Onuoha) is playing right side with Michael (Turner). As a unit as well there is a good understanding with the goalkeeper (Simon Mignolet). The whole team really is looking hard to beat.”