SAINTS striker Brett Ormerod was today starting a month's loan spell at Leeds United.

But head coach Steve Wigley is adamant Ormerod, right, is still part of his long-term plans. Wigley said: "Brett is going to join Leeds on loan for a month. He hasn't had enough football lately and Leeds, Brett and ourselves will benefit.

"He'll go until the end of the month and at the end of the month we will have him back hopefully with a few games and goals under his belt.

"It is just a case that we feel we will benefit in a few weeks and Brett will benefit straight away."

There was no shortage of competition for Ormerod's services with Sheffield United and Sunderland definitely interested in taking the player on loan and a third Championship side, Cardiff, rumoured to be keen.

Leeds certainly need a spark up front.

At present manager Kevin Blackwell just has three recognised strikers - and they have only managed ONE goal between them in 2004/05.

Former Middlesbrough striker Michael Ricketts hasn't scored in nine games and veteran Brian Deane has failed to find the net in eight appearances.

Julian Joachim has scored once in nine games with former Manchester United midfielder Danny Pugh the club's top scorer with five strikes.

Ormerod hasn't appeared at all for Saints' first team since the opening day of the season.

He wasn't even on the bench for last Monday's draw at Charlton, while teenagers Dexter Blackstock and Leon Best were preferred to him when the reserves visited The Valley two days later.

In all, Ormerod has scored 11 Premiership goals for Saints in 45 starts plus 27 as a sub since signing for £1.7m from Blackpool in December 2001.