United manager Simon Grayson says he will be monitoring the progress of Elland Road old boy Alan Smith during his loan spell with MK Dons.

The former United captain linked up with the League One side this weekend on loan from Newcastle amid the ever-present speculation that he could be set to return to Leeds.

"There's been a lot of speculation about us and Alan Smith," said the Leeds boss. "The truth is that we discussed the matter more in the summer than now.

"We spoke about him many times and weighed up all sorts of things, including the response of the fans. In the end, the reason we didn't move was purely a footballing decision.

"Alan has been training, but he hasn't been playing games, and that was really the deciding factor. The MK move will be great for him because the best thing he can do is play games.

"He is out of contract with Newcastle at the end of the season, and we will definitely be keeping an eye him over the next few weeks and months."