Sunderland defender George McCartney has joined npower Championship side Leeds United on loan.

The 29-year-old Northern Ireland international will spend the next month at Elland Road after struggling to command a first-team place at the Stadium of Light.

Left-back McCartney, who has 34 senior international caps, began his career on Wearside before moving to West Ham in August 2006.

He returned to Sunderland under Roy Keane in September 2008, but injuries have limited his participation in recent months with Kieran Richardson having made the move back from midfield to the left side of defence.