Platt hopes to take the 27-year-old - a former teammate in the England squad - on loan until the end of the season.

Winger Sharpe has not played a first-team game since early November and was put on the transfer list five weeks ago.

Platt: Finding his feet in a new role

"I've been caught in a catch 22 situation because I've had the year out with a knee injury, I couldn't get back in the first team and so I couldn't show people I was fit," he said.

"But this is absolutely fantastic. I couldn't have planned it better myself. This is a nice Christmas present for me.

"To go over there for four or five months and play against some of the best players in Europe, with the facilities they've got and at the standard at which they play, can only stand me in good stead."

Sharpe made his name with Manchester United before joining Leeds in August 1996 for a then club record £4.5m.

Sharpe celebrates European success with Manchester United (1991)

But he was Howard Wilkinson's last signing before he was sacked a month later and struggled to make an impact under the new George Graham regime at Elland Road.

Sharpe missed the entire 1997-8 season with a knee ligament injury and was unable to win a regular starting place this term under either Graham or his replacement O'Leary.

"I've had to keep my chin up, keep my confidence going and keep on top of my game, which is difficult when you are in the reserves.