GIUSEPPE Bellusci is on the brink of becoming Leeds United’s new signing ahead of tonight’s visit of Accrington in the Capital One Cup first round.

The Italian defender will arrive on a season-long loan from Catania with Leeds having the option to buy him next year.

Bellusci, a former Italy Under-21 international, will bolster a United side disappointingly beaten 2-0 at Millwall on Saturday.

Head coach David Hockaday had hoped to sign Juventus centre Frederik Sorenson on loan prior to the Championship opener but the move collapsed at the eleventh hour.

Bellusci, 24, is now primed to join Leeds instead and could come into contention to make his debut in Saturday’s home clash with Middlesbrough.

Tonight’s match will come too soon for him as the Whites seek to ensure a safe passage into the second round.

Hockaday has already come under scrutiny with uncompromising owner Massimo Cellino believed to be pulling the strings behind the scenes on the club’s player recruitment.

Yet Hockaday insisted: “It works all around the world and now it’s happening at Leeds."