Saints' John moves to Ashton Gate

Stern John has been a prolific scorer for Trinidad & Tobago

Gary Johnson has boosted Bristol City's firepower with the signing of experienced striker Stern John on loan until the end of the year.

The 31-year-old Southampton forward will go straight into the squad for Saturday's game against Barnsley.

The Trinidad & Tobago star has scored 104 goals since arriving in the UK.

John, who played a key role in taking Birmingham City to the Premier League, played alongside Dele Adebola in their days together at Coventry City.

John started his career in the United States before signing for Nottingham Forest for £1.5m in 1999.

He has already passed a medical at Ashton Gate and manager Gary Johnson expects him to feature heavily in City's congested fixture list in the run-up to Christmas.

The six foot front man was Southampton's leading scorer last season but has fallen out of favour with the new regime at the club. And Saints boss Jan Poortvliet insists that his loan move is part of an effort to balance the books at St Mary's.

John, who has been handed the squad number 31, will not be eligible to play for City when they take on Southampton at St Mary's in a fortnight's time (8 November).