City boss Paul Lambert is confident of signing a midfielder on loan in time for the Championship derby match at home to Ipswich on Sunday.

Lambert was unable to clinch a deal in time for Saturday's visit of Leeds, but after the 1-1 draw he admitted: 'I have spoken to somebody and I hope that will come off. Hopefully it will happen in the early part of the week.'

With midfield trio Korey Smith, Matthew Gill and Stephen Hughes all sidelined by injury and Simon Lappin currently operating at left-back in the absence of Adam Drury and Steven Smith, Lambert gave midfielder Andrew Surman his first outing since August – and included defender Michael Nelson on the bench after three months out.

Surman and Nelson had featured in a match behind closed doors against Ipswich reserves last Tuesday.

'I'm not making up the numbers, but I don't have 100 per cent fit lads at the minute,' he said. 'It's needs must. I take full responsibility if anything happens to the lads, but I am asking them to do me a major thing.'