Warnock turns to ‘old boy’ Tonge

The 29-year-old completed the move this morning and trained with his new team-mates for the first time ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City.

Tonge is well known to manager Neil Warnock from his Sheffield United days with the midfielder having made over 300 appearances for the Blades, the majority coming under the current Leeds boss.

He joined Premier League Stoke in 2008 and has played in the UEFA Cup for the Potters, but has failed to nail down a regular starting place and has been left out of his club’s 25-man squad for this season.

Warnock is delighted to have one of his “old boys” on board at Elland Road.

He said: “There’s a number of players I’ve been looking at with the injuries we have,” said the boss. “It was vital we did something in time for Cardiff.

“Michael hasn’t been involved with the first team, but he’s played some under 21 games so he’s fit. He knows how I play, I don’t have to explain things, and he’ll fit in well with what we have here.

“A loan had to be someone we wanted and Michael fits the category and I think he’ll fit in well. He’s desperate to do well. I like that, and I like him as a person. He gives us that passing ability we maybe don’t have and he’ll fit in well.

“It’s about fitting the ingredients and he’s in the Norris/Green mould which is what we want. He’s excited and couldn’t wait to get started.

“There was a lot of names bandied about, but I said we would wait for him so I’m pleased.”