Leeds loanee Andros Townsend has admitted the chance to join the club was too good to miss.

The Tottenham midfielder signed on a deal until the end of the season on January 1 and played a starring debut role in the 2-1 win over Burnley on Monday.

He said: “There were a few options but Leeds United is a massive club and I couldn’t turn it down.

“Only a few years ago Leeds were in the Champions League and I’ve played here before and the fans are amazing so it’s a no-brainer to come here really.”

The 20-year-old acknowledged morale among the squad was low when he joined but he is now hoping to lift the mood as Leeds head to the Emirates on Monday to take on Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

“Everyone was down in the dumps when I arrived – we watched the DVD of the Barnsley game and it wasn’t good – but we put the wrongs right on Monday and the crowd were right behind us.

“We have to take it one game at a time. They’d lost a few games when I came in so it’s a case of steadying the ship again and getting a few wins under our belts.”

The winger is expected to start against the Gunners, however manager Simon Grayson may be without defenders Patrick Kisnorbo, Leigh Bromby and Alex Bruce, although Tom Lees could recover in time from concussion.

Grayson said: “We were down to the bare bones on Monday. Alex came back into the team and got a hamstring injury, Paddy got an injury, Leigh Bromby’s injured and Tom Lees was injured.

“We’ll have to wait and see where we are with Paddy and Alex over the next few days.”

* Tranmere have extended the loan stay of Leeds goalkeeper Paul Rachubka by a further month until January 28.

The former Manchester United trainee joined Rovers in November after first-choice goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams suffered a broken hand and has made five appearances during his time at Prenton Park.