Leeds United striker Mike Grella is expected to go back out on loan before the transfer window slams shut later today.

Grella joined Carlisle on loan in October and returned on January 1 but manager Simon Grayson has a surfeit of strikers, with Luciano Becchio, Billy Paynter, Ross McCormack and Davide Somma ahead of Grella in the queue and the versatile Sanchez Watt also able to operate up front.

American under-18 and under-20 international Grella joined United in February, 2009, and has scored five goals in 41 appearances for the club.

After appearing as a substitute in the opening two games of this season, he has been out of the picture and a loan move to Motherwell recently was vetoed by the Scottish FA because he had played for two English clubs this season.

If United fail to find a club in this country for Grella before tonight’s deadline they will look to loan him out under the 93-day loan system which starts on February 5.

Former Manchester City midfielder Adam Clayton was recalled from his loan at Peterborough last week after United had agreed to extend his stay at London Road until January 30.

However, with Neil Kilkenny due back from international duty with Australia, Grayson may consider loaning Clayton out again.

Kilkenny, whose contract at Elland Road expires in the summer, replaced Harry Kewell in the second period of extra time as Australia lost 1-0 to Japan in the Asian Cup final on Saturday.

United have been looking to strengthen their squad during the current transfer window but their only incoming business so far has been George McCartney’s return on loan from Sunderland and Andy O’Brien’s permanent signing from Bolton after he rejected a move to Cardiff.