City Bolstered By United Loan Double

Defender Michael Keane and midfielder Jesse Lingard, both 19, have joined City for one month, reinforcing the Foxes squad for the next six games.

Subject to their registrations being confirmed by the Football League, both players will be available for Tuesday night’s npower Championship trip to Bolton Wanderers.

City manager Nigel Pearson said: “We have been operating with a smaller, more balanced squad this season, but we felt the time was right to increase the options available to us.

“Not only do Michael and Jesse add a great deal of quality to the group, they are also the type of hungry young players that will fit in well with what is already a very strong squad.”

Both graduates of the United academy, Michael and Jesse begin the first loan spells of their young careers at King Power Stadium.

Keane, a defender who can operate both centrally and at full-back, has featured three times for Sir Alex Ferguson’s first team, including two appearances in this season’s Capital One Cup. Born in Stockport, he played for the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels before opting to represent England and making his Under-19 debut in May.

Warrington-born Lingard, who turns 20 next month, is an attacking midfield player whom Ferguson once likened to stylish Frenchman Jean Tigana. Comfortable operating out wide or in the ‘No10’ role, he has yet to feature for United’s first team but has been tipped for a big future and was highly impressive during the club’s pre-season campaign.

The loan spells of both players will run up to and including 3 December, making them available for City’s away trips to Bolton, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United and home games against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Derby County.