Leeds skipper Alan Thompson has been surprisingly shipped out on loan to Hartlepool.

The former England midfielder has been plagued by injury this season but has been one of United's most influential players whenever he has appeared.

Only this weekend, as Leeds were overrun in midfield and crashed to a disappointing defeat by promotion rivals Doncaster, fans websites contained pleas for Thompson to be brought back to add to some experience, guile and sheer passing class to an unimpressive team.

Instead, manager Dennis Wise agreed to Danny Wilson's request for a month-long loan as the former Sheffield Wednesday boss seeks to halt Hartlepool's slide towards the relegation zone.

Wise, who is a believer in young, quick players, has clearly decided that new signings Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson are the answer to United's midfield problems, although neither impressed against Doncaster.

This is a brave decision by Wise because if Leeds' recent form - they have lost three of their last five matches - does not pick up, fans could well turn on him for letting one of their best players leave.

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