The emergency loan window reopens tomorrow and a three-month deal is on the cards inside the next fortnight, with United ready to pick up Wigan ace Brown's Premiership wage tab, thought to be more than £30,000 a week.

The 31-year-old, who left United for Tottenham in January 2004, has made only one start for the Latics under Steve Bruce this season, that coming in the 4-0 Carling Cup defeat of League Two outfit Notts County.

He came on as a 56th-minute sub for Kevin Kilbane in the Latics' 5-0 drubbing of Hull City last Saturday, his sole Premiership appearance this season.

Brown left White Hart Lane for Fulham after only two years, while his stay at Craven Cottage was even shorter, being snapped up by former Wigan boss Chris Hutchings in July last year.

And with a lack of first-team opportunities at the JJB Stadium, Brown could be tempted to return to the club where he made his name after joining the Blades in January 2000.

The Hartlepool-born midfielder, who started his career at Manchester City, made more than 150 appearances for Sheffield United, scoring 36 goals.

He sprung to prominence in the Blades' thrilling 2002/03 season, scoring 22 goals as the South Yorkshiremen reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup and the Championship play-off final.

And he would fit the bill for boss Kevin Blackwell, who is in the market for a creative midfielder following the £2m departure of Michael Tonge to Stoke City.

Meanwhile, out-of-favour Blades striker Jon Stead has joined Ipswich Town on loan –- with the Tractor Boys beating off interest from Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace to land him.

Ex-Blades boss Warnock was frantically trying to bolster the Eagles' forward options before the transfer window shut on Monday, with Stead understood to be close to agreeing a move to Selhurst Park before deciding to head for Portman Road.

The 25-year-old is on loan until January with the Blades and Town thought to have agreed on a fee of £1.25m if the deal is made permanent after that time.

Town boss Jim Magilton said: "Jon brings something different to our squad.

"He will add competition for places up front and brings with him experience of having played in the Premier League and scored in the Premier League."

Stead, who stands at 6ft 3in, is set to play a little and large role with fellow striker Kevin Lisbie at Portman Road.

Blackwell said: "It's an opportunity for Jon to play.

"Naturally he wants to start games and I cannot guarantee that here at the moment."