Manager Steve Bruce hopes the temporary move will allow the 22-year-old to make the Sweden squad for the Euro 2008 championships.

Granqvist has failed to make a league appearance this year after starting the first eight matches of the season.

fairest option

Bruce said: "This is by no means the end of the road for Andreas as far as this club is concerned.

"He is a good young player with plenty of potential. However, with the European Championships coming up in the summer, he needs first team action to have a chance of getting in the Sweden squad.

"We felt it was the fairest option for him to allow this move to go ahead."