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Saints have been given clearance by the Football League to sign Sheffield United defender Chris Lucketti on loan until the end of the season.

The agreements were signed right on yesterday's 5pm loan deadline but the Football League have sanctioned the deal.

Saints boss Nigel Pearson had been chasing 36-year-old centre half Lucketti for some time but the deal appeared to have stumbled when the defender's wife was taken into hospital.

However, after a successful operation he was happy to join Saints' relegation scrap after this weekend.

Pearson said: "It has been a difficult situation for Chris who wanted to come but obviously his main concern was his wife.

"It has been a difficult time for him but it is right that he stays with his wife this weekend and then he will join up with us next week.

"I am delighted that everything is OK and that he is able to join us as he will add further experience and cover to our defence for the run-in.

"It is a relief that it has gone through and I am pleased to get another experienced player with leadership qualities for what is going to be a very important run-in for us.

"He is a strong character who knows this division inside out and will add know-how and options for us."

Lucketti is a proven performer at this level having established himself as the cornerstone of the Preston defence from 2001 to 2006.

He began his career with Rochdale and Stockport but made only one league appearance there as a youngster before making the break-through with Halifax.

He made 78 appearances in two seasons before joining Bury where he was virtually an ever-present in the next six seasons.

He had two years at Huddersfield before moving to Deepdale and then to Sheffield United in March 2006.

He made his Premiership debut at the age of 35 in January of last year and signed a new one-year contract last summer.

3:04pm Friday 28th March 2008

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