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Smith considers Cardiff loan deal Smith wanted by Leeds and Cardiff
(40 minutes later)
Manchester United have accepted an offer from Cardiff City to take England striker Alan Smith on loan. Leeds have joined Cardiff in the chase to secure Manchester United striker Alan Smith on loan.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: "The fact we are no longer in the Carling Cup, I thought a short term loan would be ideal for him. United have already accepted an offer from Cardiff but Smith's former club have now expressed an interest.
"I think he has spoken to someone at Cardiff but he is not certain about whether to take it or not. "We have only just found out about his availability, but there's a possibility of a deal," said Leeds boss Wise.
"It is a good opportunity for Alan to get some games in - he really needs football quickly." United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: "The fact we are no longer in the Carling Cup, I thought a short term loan would be ideal for him."
Smith, 26, broke an ankle against Liverpool in February and has not played regularly since returning.
Cardiff, who top the Championship, need cover as first-choice striker Steve Thompson will be out for most of November with an Achilles injury.
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The move is thought to have been instigated by Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale, formerly Smith's chairman at Leeds.
In his time at Leeds, Smith was sent off against Cardiff for elbowing Andy Legg in the Bluebirds' famous 2-1 FA Cup win at Ninian Park in January 2002.
Smith is in need of regular football, but since returning to fitness in August he has struggled to force his way into Ferguson's thinking.
He was substituted after 60 minutes in the shock Carling Cup defeat by Southend on Tuesday.
Ferguson added: "There is a bit of risk about sending him out.
"But in the present situation, he needs to get through competitive matches and he is still a bit short for us in that.
"But he is improving and it's only through games that he's going to get it back."