Fabian Delph lined up for a loan move to Leeds

Villa midfielder Fabian Delph's potential loan move to Leeds United edged a step closer today as manager Alex McLeish confirmed he will discuss it with counterpart Simon Grayson imminently.

Leeds boss Grayson admitted that Delph "fits the bill" in terms of the kind of player he would like to bring to Elland Road during the transfer window.

And McLeish is willing to let Delph – who joined Villa from Leeds for £8m in August 2009 – head back to his former club on a temporary basis to get some games in the Championship under his belt and boost his confidence.

"Simon Grayson did try to call me but I've not spoken to him yet. I think he's spoken to Kevin MacDonald so I'll get back in touch with him," said McLeish.

"Fabian is certainly one we might think about to go on loan. He started seven or eight games in a row for us at the start of the season but we've changed the team about a bit because the competition was pretty intense.

"We've been looking for players to give us these big eight out of 10 performances every week. Some of the lads have given us some good performances, but not quite got to the peak of their powers and Fabian admitted that.

"He's been out of football and out of the game for a long time with injury before this season so it may be that we look to try and get him playing regularly for a wee while.

He's trained well and he's a good trainer and the kid just wants to play."

McLeish also revealed that tough-tackling Australian midfielder Chris Herd is set for a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury.