Leeds have moved to ease their goalkeeping crisis by signing Alex McCarthy on loan from Reading.

With Andy Lonergan currently unavailable due to a broken finger and back-up Paul Rachubka desperately out of form, United boss Paul Grayson was keen to bring in some cover.

England under-21 international McCarthy fits the bill and is set to go straight into the team that plays at Leicester on Sunday.

Grayson, who substituted Rachubka at half-time in the 5-0 home thrashing by Blackpool on Wednesday, said: “I’d like to thank Brian McDermott (Reading manager) for allowing Alex to come to us.

“They are keen for him to play games and hopefully his loan spell here will help with his development.”

McCarthy, who has played only once for the Royals this season, was man of the match at Elland Road last season when Reading earned a 0-0 draw.

But while the acquisition of McCarthy has solved one problem, Grayson’s defence will still be disrupted by the suspension of Tom Lees.

The youngster was sent off in the defeat to Blackpool for handling a shot by Lomano Lua Lua, leading to the visitors’ second goal from the penalty spot.

Since making his debut in the 3-2 Carling Cup win over neighbours Bradford, Lees had only missed one of 16 games, the 2-1 victory at Doncaster.

An impressive run of form had seen the 20-year-old establish himself as a first-team regular, while he scored his first goal for United in the 4-1 win over Hull.

Grayson could not hide his disappointment at Lees’ one-game ban but insists there are able replacements ready to step in for the trip to Leicester.

The Leeds boss said: “It’s disappointing. I thought maybe it was harsh because I’m not sure you can say it was deliberate. He didn’t have time to react.

“It’ll be disappointing to lose Tom because he has done ever so well for us and you want to keep a solid back four and team.

“But we have players who can come in. There’s players who have been working very hard who I have a belief and trust in.”

Patrick Kisnorbo played alongside Lees against Blackpool and could be partnered by Darren O’Dea, should the Irish international recover from a head injury.

Andy O’Brien is also in contention for the role after returning to the bench for the first time since August in midweek, while Leigh Bromby and Alex Bruce are alternative options.

A win for either side could move them up into the play-off places. But Leeds are now without a victory in three games and have slipped to tenth in the Championship table, although they could be lower than that by the time they kick-off at Leicester.

The Foxes go into the game on the back of a 3-1 win at Burnley but are still without a manager after the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson.