Stephen Elliott has been reunited with an old pal from his footballing past - but the venue is a very different one. The Republic of Ireland international knows Gary Doherty from the international set-up, but his link with midfielder Wes Hoolahan goes back much further.

Stephen Elliott has been reunited with an old pal from his footballing past - but the venue is a very different one.

The Republic of Ireland international knows Gary Doherty from the international set-up, but his link with midfielder Wes Hoolahan goes back much further.

“I used to live over the road from Weso many years ago in Dublin so I know him quite well,” said Elliott.

It was street football they played together then - this afternoon they will attempt to uphold Norwich City's street cred in the League One promotion race.

Elliott completed a medical at Carrow Road yesterday morning and goes straight into the squad for this afternoon's game against Yeovil, the intention to keep everyone on their toes and provide competition and options at the top end of the pitch.

“Norwich are flying at the moment,” he said. “Everybody can see that so I am coming in here hoping that if called upon I can help out the lads.

“I have been involved as part of two promotions with Sunderland to the Premiership so I am hoping that experience can help the lads get over the line.”

That's the key: helping City over the line - and it's where working for the likes of Mick McCarthy, Kevin Keegan and Roy Keane and playing in the top two flights of English football will be crucial.

“I think so - this season the lads here have been flying and have got themselves into a great position so I will be coming into a team that's buzzing,” he said. “It's good to be around the place and everybody will be on a high. I am hoping with the experience I have in the past I can help the lads.”

As the season rolls around to the final dozen games, what happens between a footballer's ears becomes increasingly important.

“It probably does,” agreed Elliott. “Some players may look and hope the season ends rather quickly, but there are still a few games to go and the games have to be played and the results have to be there to get over the line.

“It is a bit of a lead at the moment, but everybody knows they have got to keep themselves on their toes and keep the results coming.”

Elliott has started just three Championship games this season, none under new boss Darren Ferguson, which made the offer to join City until the end of the season an easy one to make.

“I made my decision straight away, seeing where they were and I am just looking forward to getting going,” he said.

“Obviously I wasn't playing too much football at Preston this season. It cropped up here that they were interested in taking me on loan until the end of the season so with the team doing really well I thought I might as well come in and give a helping hand.

“It is always frustrating when you're not playing, but you just have to keep yourself ticking over, keep working hard, because you never know when your next game is going to come.

“I knew there was the possibility of moving somewhere so I had to keep myself right for that.”