Short is struggling for fitness ahead of the busy festive schedule, but Warnock is loathe to use one of his remaining loans should the former Blackburn ace recover ahead of the January transfer window.

His opportunities look to have diminished even further with loan signing Gonzalo Sorondo making his return from injury in a reserve clash with Ipswich in midweek.

The 26-year-old would relish the opportunity of linking up with United, with the possibility of a permanent move and a rapid return to the Premiership in the offing.

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