LEEDS United forward Michael Ricketts has joined Stoke City on a month's loan as part of a minor shake-up at Elland Road.

Fellow striker Simon Johnson is also set to join Barnsley on loan, while the Whites have sent on-loan Paul Harrison back to Liverpool, with fellow goalkeeper Adam Bartlett, on trial from Newcastle, set to get his chance in the reserves against Blackburn tonight, weather permitting.

Seth Johnson, Frazer Richardson, Matthew Spring, Michael Duberry and Danny Pugh are also included in the reserves line-up.

Ricketts, 26, has started just one match for Leeds since November.

The former England and Bolton striker joined from Middlesbrough on a free transfer in June but has made little impact. He has started 11 games and made 13 substitute appearances, his only goal coming in the Carling Cup win against Swindon in September.

Goalkeeper Harrison, 20, appeared on the bench three times but boss Kevin Black-well has picked five outfield players as substitutes for the last three matches.

Blackwell has also been giving a trial to former Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday 'keeper Kevin Pressman.

The reserves play tonight at the Atlantic Solutions Stadium, Wakefield (7pm).

Leeds captain Paul Butler is among three players desperate to keep out of trouble against West Ham at Elland Road on Saturday.

Butler, fellow centre-back Clarke Carlisle and striker Brian Deane are on four bookings for the season and Saturday's game is the cut-off point for suspensions.

One more yellow card would mean a ban, but if the trio avoid a booking against the Hammers they will be in the clear.

Butler has already served two suspensions this season for dismissals at Brighton on October 23 and at home to Crewe on New Year's Day, while Carlisle was ordered off at Coventry on January 3.

United were handed a £60,000 fine, suspended for a year, for collecting 78 bookings and five dismissals in 41 matches last season. The fine will only be imposed if the club's disciplinary record does not improve this season.

So far they have had 63 yellow cards and five reds in 39 games this season.

Updated: 10:36 Wednesday, February 23, 2005