Bryan Robson today challenged Alun Armstrong to earn a long stay at City.

Armstrong has agreed a month's loan which starts on Saturday.

He will train over Christmas with Ipswich before joining up with his new club after the Boxing Day game at Sunderland.

Armstrong, 28, is likely to step straight into the side against Coventry on Sunday when Michael Branch is suspended.

And Robson, who signed Armstrong at Middlesbrough for £1.5m in February 1998, believes City will offer the striker an ideal chance to shine.

City have not scored for four games and only three of the 72 Nationwide League teams have netted less than their tally of 19.

Robson said: "I just feel we need a bit more strength up front and Alun has got a good goal-scoring record in the First Division.

"Alun leads the line well and I think he is a good foil for Michael Branch, Andy Gray and Danny Cadamarteri when he is fit again.

"He had a gashed leg which needed a few stitches in his thigh and kept him out for two weeks. But apart from that he has been playing all season.

"We've got him here for a month at the moment but hopefully with a view to making it longer if everything works out."

Dean Windass hopes Armstrong's arrival will provide a much-needed spark.

He said: "New faces can freshen things up a bit and hopefully Alun can come in and get us a couple of goals.

"Confidence is a big thing, especially in strikers, and when you're not scoring goals it can be difficult. But with a new player coming in like Alun it might make a difference."

Armstrong, whose contract at Portman Road runs out in June, has featured only once in the Ipswich first team since September.

He could play up to six games in the next month for City as the deal goes up to the trip to Gillingham at the end of January. Ipswich have also allowed him to play in the FA Cup.

City chief executive Julian Rhodes said: "Their chairman David Sheepshanks knows our situation and he has been very good about it."

Ipswich boss Joe Royle said: "Alan has to look to his future. He goes there with a chance to win a contract.

"There's no doubt he has the talent but now he needs to show what he can do and he will do that playing regular football."