Danny Mills to begin talks over loan move

Leeds have given Danny Mills permission to talk to two clubs about a loan move after the England defender's fall from grace at…

Leeds have given Danny Mills permission to talk to two clubs about a loan move after the England defender's fall from grace at Elland Road.

Mills was furious about being left out of the squad for the 2-2 draw with Newcastle and, after his heated criticism of manager Peter Reid this week, the club have decided to make him available to another Premiership side.

Birmingham and Middlesbrough are both understood to be interested in a loan deal, although Manchester City have also been linked with the player.

Reid said today: "I have had a chat with Danny and he could be moving on loan, it's up to him. At this moment he's not in squad and he has permission to talk to a couple of clubs.

READ MORE

"I have never questioned Danny's attitude in training, it has been excellent, but we did have a chat about the quality of his performance in pre-season games, I've got to say that."

Mills signed a new five-year deal this summer reportedly worth stg£40,000 a week and though the cash-strapped club could do without him on the wage bill Reid insisted the player was not being deliberately frozen out.

But he added: "He's not in the squad and if that's being frozen out it's frozen out, but I pick a squad that I think is going to win the game. He wasn't in the squad for the Newcastle game and he's not in it for the one against Tottenham.

"In training he has been smashing but in the games in pre-season I have not seen him. I would be an idiot if I thought a player wasn't playing well and played him in the team.

"If he stays I will see what he's like in games, I will have a look at Danny and I'm sure he will improve but I can't pick him on what I have seen recently in football matches."

Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant is likely to start for Leeds at Spurs after his loan move was completed this week.

Reid will also make a decision next week on Carlos Cuellar, the 21-year-old defender who has been on trial from Spanish second division side Numancia. "He has done smashing and we will decide on it next week," added the Leeds manager.