Craig Fleming is poised to make his Championship debut for Wolves at Cardiff today after completing a whirlwind emergency loan switch. The 35-year-old Norwich defender - out of contract at Carrow Road in the summer - will partner Neill Collins at Ninian Park after moving to Molineux on a one month deal.

Craig Fleming is poised to make his Championship debut for Wolves at Cardiff today after completing a whirlwind emergency loan switch.

The 35-year-old Norwich defender - out of contract at Carrow Road in the summer - will partner Neill Collins at Ninian Park after moving to Molineux on a one month deal.

Fleming is not eligible for a Carrow Road return under the terms of the move between the two clubs when Wolves visit Norwich on January 30. The Halifax-born stalwart has been cleared to play in next week's FA Cup fourth round Black Country derby against West Brom, although Fleming would be ruled out of any potential FA Cup date against the Canaries.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy pounced for Fleming with influential first choice duo Gary Breen and Rob Edwards suspended along with major injury doubts over Jody Craddock and Jackie McNamara.

“We were desperate to bring somebody in,” said McCarthy. “It's never easy trying to get players. We have lads out but I see it as selection challenge, not a problem. This kind of thing happens over the course of the season, but we should be okay. We've had to mix and match in the past and we will have to do that again at centre back this weekend. Everyone who has been asked to come in and do a job in the past has done so, and we're hoping for something similar at Cardiff.”

Fleming had been strongly tipped to link up with Kevin Bond at League One Bournemouth after Bond and assistant Rob Newman ran the rule over the defender in a reserve friendly against Spurs earlier this month.

The experienced campaigner started only one game under new boss Peter Grant this season - the 5-0 mauling against Stoke at the Britannia. Fleming was sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring problem picked up as a second half substitute in October's 1-1 East Anglian derby draw at home to Colchester.

The former Oldham trainee has since been unable to dislodge Gary Doherty, Jason Shackell and Dion Dublin in the pecking order.

Fleming - who made 382 appearances in a ten year spell at the club - was awarded a Carrow Road testimonial against Newcastle during the summer.

The loan signing will also be available for Wolves' Championship battles with fellow play-off rivals Preston and Burnley. His initial month long switch concludes with a scheduled trip to Ipswich on February 20.