Leeds United extend Reading keeper Alex McCarthy's loan

Alex McCarthy is one of the game's most highly-rated young keepers

Leeds United have extended the loan of Reading keeper Alex McCarthy by a further month.

Under the terms of the deal, the 22-year-old will not be able to face his parent club at Elland Road on Saturday.

Andy Lonergan will return in goal for the match against the Royals after being named on the bench at Vicarage Road following an injury lay-off.

"Alex is a fantastic young keeper. He's done very well for us in his time here," said Leeds boss Simon Grayson.

"We have a number of games coming up and, by keeping Alex, it enables us to have plenty of options in that area," he told the club website.

The England U-21 international has kept three clean sheets in his six games while on loan at Elland Road and saved a late penalty, after which Leeds converted a spotkick of their own, to help earn a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Watford.