Fabian Delph has returned to Elland Road after signing a one-month loan deal with Leeds.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who left Simon Grayson’s side to join Aston Villa for £6 million in the summer of 2009, has being made available for loan by Villa boss Alex McLeish.

Delph was a regular in the Villa midfield in the first half of the season but has not featured for the first-team since mid-December.

Said Leeds boss Grayson: “We’ve been talking for a couple of weeks now with Villa about the possibility of bringing Fab back to the club.

“As everyone knows Fab is a talented footballer who did very well here and secured himself a big move on the back of what he did.

“This is a great deal for both parties. Fab will get some football and he is the calibre of player that we’ve been looking to bring in here.”

Delph, who made 46 league appearances in his first spell with the West Yorkshire side, will be available to face Ipswich in the npower Championship on Saturday.

His arrival will provide some consolation for the likely departure of Hemingbrough-based skipper Jonny Howson, who is inching closer to a reported £2 million move to Premier League Norwich City.

Scottish international Robert Snodgrass, who came off the bench to bag a leveller at Crystal Palace last week, is expected to start from the off today.

In another boost, teenage goalkeeper Alex Cairns has committed his future to the club after signing a new two-year contract.

The 19-year-old signed his first professional deal last summer and after being in and around the first team squad this season, the Doncaster-born goalkeeper has been handed an extended stay with the club.

He said: “It’s a great club to be at, and working with Lonners (Andy Lonergan) and Maik (Maik Taylor) and learning everything from them is fantastic.

“They are two great professionals and really good lads to work with. I’ve learnt so much from them already and am looking forward to learning more.”

Cairns made his senior debut against Blackpool in November as a second-half substitute when he replaced Paul Rachubka and while admitting he wished the circumstances had been different, it was still something to remember.

“Making my debut is the highlight so far,” he said.

“Obviously the circumstances weren’t very good, but it was my debut and a chance to show the Leeds fans a little bit of what I can do.”