DANNY MILLS will not be heading back to Leeds United following Peter Reid's sacking, writes Paul Fraser.

The England international is on a season-long loan deal at Middlesbrough and the Yorkshire club are known to want the full-back to return.

Eddie Gray has been appointed caretaker boss and has looked into the details of Mills' switch to the Riverside, in the hope of having the former Charlton man back to boost cash-strapped Leeds' bid to climb away from the foot of the Premiership table.

However, Northern Echo SPORT understands that the only way Mills can go back to Leeds is if Boro allow him to do just that.

A spokesman for Leeds said: "It is a loan for the full season. The only way he can return to Elland Road is if it is with the full agreement of both clubs and the player."

It will come as a relief to Boro, as Mills has been a huge part of the club's recent revival.

The 26-year-old has been part of a four-man defence which has kept three consecutive clean sheets - a far cry from Leeds' recent run of conceding 18 in their last six matches.

Mills had indicated he would never play for Leeds again while Reid was at the helm, but whoever takes over is likely to fight to retain his services for next season.

Boro are not likely to stand in the player's way if he does indicate he would like to return to the Whites, but he has been delighted with how quickly he has settled in on Teesside since joining in August.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.