LEEDS BOSS Kevin Blackwell has admitted defeat in his bid to extend Brett Ormerod's one-moth loan deal - but hasn't ruled out a renewed approach in the future.
Steve Wigley has confirmed that Ormerod will return to Saints next week after their game against Everton - the earliest allowed under FA rules - to ease Saints' injury crisis with James Beattie and Peter Crouch both out for six weeks.
Ormerod has made a big impact at Leeds since his move with his enthusiasm and hard work already making him a crowd favourite at Elland Road.
Blackwell said: "Brett has shown a desire to be here - he wants to stay at Leeds United.
"We'll be talking about the situation and, hopefully, we can sort something out.
"That's one of the problems with loan deals - there is a always a danger of players going back when you want them to stay.
"Before the injury problems at Saints, Ormerod also expressed a desire to stay at Leeds, saying: "The facilities at Leeds show you what a massive club this is.
"I got frustrated at Saints as reserve team football can leave you stale.
"If things continue to go well at Leeds, hopefully it can become a more permanent arrangement."
The £1.75m hitman will not be making the move more permanent for the time being anyway after Wigley confirmed: "It was always the intention to bring Brett back after a month.
"We just wanted him to get first-team match practice. But, with James out injured, it makes sense to get Brett back and, hopefully, he will feel the benefit of playing regularly."
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