Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo is set to gain some much-needed match practice after joining Bristol City on a 28-day emergency loan.

The 31-year-old Scotland international signed in time to make his debut in today’s clash at Sheffield United.

Bramall Lane is a happy hunting ground for Iwelumo after he scored twice there for Wolves in a 3-1 win there last season.

Iwelumo has slipped down the pecking order since making only his second Premier League start against Manchester City on December 28, one of 10 appearances he has made this season without scoring.

With Kevin Doyle used as the lone front man in recent games, Sam Vokes has been used on the bench as the target man option and Wolves also have Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Stefan Maierhofer in reserve, while Andy Keogh is nearing full fitness after two months out with a damaged tendon in his ankle.

Iwelumo is needed by City where both main forwards are injured.

Eleven-goal top scorer Nicky Maynard is out for a couple of weeks with a dead leg and strike partner Danny Haynes is sidelined through illness.

Boss Gary Johnson is seeking experience to lead his young side out of a poor run of two wins in 17 games that has left them five points off the drop zone before today.

Today’s game could give Iwelumo six Championship outings, with a home debut on Tuesday against Leicester followed by the visit of Albion a week tomorrow in a televised game.

Iwelumo is also available for the matches against Ipswich away on the 27^th, Doncaster at home on March 6 and a trip to his one-time suitors Crystal Palace three days later.

And the big striker, who has scored 16 goals in 45 games for Wolves since his £400,000 move from Charlton, is hoping for a fresh start at Ashton Gate with much of 2009 a write-off through injury.

Last season ended prematurely for him in April when he damaged medial knee ligaments in a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham.

Then he twice broke his foot, initially in his comeback in the first pre-season game in Australia against Perth, then again on his Premier League debut at Stoke on October 31.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said: “It’s purely to give Chris some games. They need a striker and we have a good working relationship with Bristol City.”