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

GettyImagesGeorge McCartney spent two years at West Ham between 2006-2008

• Injury crisis won't prevent loan

McCartney, 29, 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 for Northern Ireland, 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.