MANCHESTER Manchester City confirmed on Monday that Blackburn's Norwegian striker Egil Ostenstad had signed on loan with a view to a permanent transfer.

The 29-year-old international will initially provide cover for transfer-listed Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope, who has been ruled out for up to a month due to a knee injury.

Manchester City are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League and urgently need some fire-power if they are to stay up. They are currently 18th in the 20-team league.

Manager Joe Royle told the official club Website: "Egil will join us on a two month loan period with a view to a permanent move, though we haven't even started to negotiate a fee.

"He has a proven track record for goals in the premiership and I was a fan of his when he was at Southampton.

"Although he has lost his way a little at Rovers, I saw him play against our reserves recently and all he was lacking was confidence. Hopefully the move will help that."

Ostenstad, who moved to Southampton for 800,000 pounds ($1.18 million) from Viking in October 1996 and scored 29 league goals for the Saints in 96 appearances.

He moved to Blackburn from Southampton in August 1999 as part of a swap deal with Kevin Davies, but has started just 10 league games this season under Manager Graeme Souness.

The Norwegian recently turned down a loan move to Spanish club Las Palmas due to personal reasons.

(Reuter)