Leeds chairman Ken Bates has confirmed Malcolm Christie is on course to win a permanent deal at Elland Road.
Christie, 29, made a shock debut for Leeds in their FA Cup replay win at Northampton on Monday night after playing in one reserve game and two behind-closed-doors friendlies in recent weeks.
Bates said: "I was very impressed with Malcolm Christie."
He added: "He's very talented, he's here on a non-contract basis and he gave us a different dimension.
"Malcolm is keen to prove himself and we hope that when he does, he and we will sign a full contract, but that of course will be down to Gary (McAllister)."
Middlesbrough paid £1.5million to Derby for Christie in January 2003, but a succession of injuries scuppered his chances at the Riverside and his contract was not renewed when it expired in September 2007.
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