United defender Phil Bardsley is looking forward to sampling regular first-team action, after joining Bryan Robson's Sheffield United on loan for three months.
Bardsley has made just the one senior appearance for United this season, in September's Carling Cup defeat to Coventry, but has been temporarily snapped up by the struggling Blades.
"The opportunity to get some first-team football was important and I know I need to come in and improve the side defensively," Phil told the official Sheffield United website.
"This is a tough league with some really good teams, and I am looking ahead to getting stuck in for three months. The season has a long way to go, but we need to start picking up points quickly to climb the table."
He becomes the eighth player to leave United on loan this season. Ryan Shawcross and Ritchie Jones joined Stoke City and Yeovil respectively back in August, while Michael Lea and Craig Cathcart are both spending five months at Royal Antwerp.
Following the Reds' Carling Cup exit, Lee Martin, Darron Gibson and Adam Eckersley have joined Plymouth Argyle, Wolves and Port Vale respectively.