James Harper's loan deal at United has been converted into a permanent move until the end of the season.

The midfielder played against his parent club Reading on Tuesday night before completing the switch, and Kevin Blackwell says that the chirpy Londoner has really started to make an impression:

"He has started to really develop now and some of the Reading people the other night thought that he was looking like the Harper of old.

"He is getting on the ball and is an infectious character but he can play, and I think that Reading missed having someone like him the other night."

Harper's off the wall manner and whacky sense of humour can be an acquired taste, even in the world of football, but Blackwell recognises that it is a good ingredient to have in such an environment:

"You need someone funny in the dressing-room for the atmosphere, and it endears him to the other players."