Former Bradford City central defender Andy O’Brien has extended his loan period at Leeds until the beginning of January - and the club hope to keep him for longer.

Leeds were keen to hang on to O’Brien who has provided some much needed stability at the back and have moved quickly to make the deal before his current loan runs out after Saturday’s trip to Reading.

And chairman Ken Bates has hinted that the club might make a permanent offer for him when the transfer window opens in January.

"We’ve got him now until January 4 and then hopefully we’ll be talking to Bolton to see if we can keep him beyond that," Bates said.

"He’s certainly been a great figure in the defence and he’s enjoying it.’ Ironically, O’Brien was part of Leeds’ Academy until they let him go aged 14. Instead he went to City and played 133 times for them, helping them win promotion to the Premiership.

The Harrogate-born Republic of Ireland international later joined Newcastle and Portsmouth before his move to Bolton Wanderers.

The news that O’Brien is staying will certainly please another of United’s loanees, Ipswich’s Alex Bruce who has started four of United’s last five games alongside the Bolton defender.

Bruce claims that United’s recent improvement in form that has taken them to fifth in the Championship is down to having a settled team.

"There was always going to be a gelling process with a large number of players coming in and out. Now we are starting to develop partnerships and while you can’t get carried away because, if you do, you’ll get a slap in the face in this league, on Saturday against Norwich we showed we are gelling."