Leeds pipped Cardiff to Bannan signing

Leeds beat off competition from promotion rivals Cardiff in the race for Aston Villa's Scotland midfielder Barry Bannan - as revealed first by MirrorFootball .

Bannan had a good run in the Villa side during their injury crisis but is now on the fringes again, so is being allowed out on loan to stay sharp by Gerard Houllier.

Leeds boss Simon Grayson thinks the gifted playmaker, who could figure at Preston tonight, can add the invention needed to keep Leeds in the promotion frame.

Bannan is also a good luck charm - he helped Blackpool win promotion via the play-offs while on loan there last season.