NORWICH City boss Bryan Hamilton has responded to his side's stuttering start to the season by recruiting Northern Ireland international Jim Whitley.

The 25-year-old Manchester City midfielder has been signed on a month's loan with a view to making the switch permanent.

And the Zambia-born player will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's trip to Ewood.

Whitley first burst onto the first-team scene at Maine Road as the Blues dropped down into the Second Division in 1998 and featured regularly alongside brother Jeff in the following season's successful promotion campaign.

However, Whitley did not figure in manager Joe Royle's First Division plans last term, making just one appearance as sub.

He did have a spell on loan at Blackpool when current Canary assistant Nigel Worthington was manager at Bloomfield Road.

And Worthington believes his arrival will help lift Hamilton's beleaguered troops.

"Jim is a very competitive player who adds back-up strength to our midfield," said Worthington.

"He's been at a big club and he has plenty of experience and the move will help us and help him."