Leeds United have let Patrick Kisnorbo go on a month-long loan deal to Championship rivals Ipswich.

The defender becomes Mick McCarthy’s first signing of the January transfer window and will remain at Portman Road until January 29.

Kisnorbo has been given clearance by his parent club to feature in Town’s FA Cup third-round tie at Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Australian moved to Britain when he joined Hearts in 2003 but switched south of the border to join Leicester two years later.

After four years with the Foxes he linked up with Leeds, where he has made a total of 58 appearances although only one of those has come this season, a Capital One Cup outing in August.

Kisnorbo’s career at Leeds has been restricted by two lengthy lay-offs due to injury, though he has played regularly with the development squad this season.

Meanwhile, Leeds boss Neil Warnock could shuffle his pack for his side’s third round FA Cup clash at home to Birmingham on Saturday.

He said: “Saturday will give one or two an opportunity. The suspensions are finished now with the risk of those on four bookings and we have had a virus doing the rounds, so we’ll have a look at things and decide the best way to go.”

On-loan centre half Alan Tate has been granted permission to play for Leeds by parent club Swansea.