LEEDS UNITED have agreed to extend Paul Rachubka’s loan to Tranmere Rovers until the end of January.

The arrangement gives the American-born goalkeeper the opportunity to double his five appearances for Rovers since he arrived to cover the absence of the injured Owain Fon Williams last month.

The experienced Rachubka earned man of the match accolades for his performance in Tranmere’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday this week.

Now he will be available for games against Brentford (home) on Saturday, the trip to Yeovil Town on Saturday, January 14, the rearranged home game with Rochdale on Tuesday, January 17, the visit to Bournemouth on Saturday, January 21 and the home game against Huddersfield on Saturday, January 28.

Tranmere hope Fon Williams should be ready for a return to action by that time as he recovers from a broken hand.

Fon Williams had the wires taken out of the hand last week and manager Les Parry reckons it will be next week at the earliest before the Welshman can attempt to handle the ball in training.

Jose Baxter’s short-term loan from Everton reaches the end of its third month after the Brentford game.

If Tranmere want to extend the talented teenager’s stay at Prenton Park further, they will have to negotiate a long-term arrangement with Everton, running to the end of the season.

Parry said he would be talking to Everton counterpart David Moyes this week “to see what is best for both of us and Jose”.

Some of Tranmere’s injury worries eased over the holiday but midfielder Andy Robinson missed the Sheffield Wednesday game because of food poisoning and striker Enoch Showunmi remains sidelined with a leg injury.

Dave Buchanan insists Tranmere have every reason to take encouragement from their thrilling new year holiday defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

Rovers dropped to 16th place in the League One table after the game, played in front of a 24,000 crowd at Hillsborough.