Norwich City are to sign Preston North End striker Stephen Elliott on loan until the end of the season.The nine-times capped Republic of Ireland international will go straight into Paul Lambert's squad to play Yeovil Town at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The 26-year-old was signed from Wolves by Alan Irvine in September 2008.

But Elliott, who cost Wolves £1million when he signed from Sunderland in 2007, has struggled at Deepdale, scoring just eight goals in 52 appearances.

Dublin-born Elliott, twice signed by Mick McCarthy, first for Sunderland from Manchester City, then for Wolves, has a career tally of 36 goals in 174 games.

But just two of those goals have come this season - and he is yet to figure under new North End boss Darren Ferguson.

Subject to passing his medical, he now faces a battle for a shirt against Norwich's 25-goal top scorer Grant Holt and 18-goal Chris Martin.

Source: BBC Sport