New signing Ronnie Wallwork will be urged to get forward and help out City's under-pressure strikers against hot-shots Crystal Palace tomorrow.

Wallwork, out of favour at West Brom, has signed a one-month loan contract and goes straight into a team that could also contain Gareth Farrelly, who has made a rapid recovery from his hamstring injury.

Palace come to the Bradford & Bingley Stadium on the back of eight goals in their last two away outings, including the 5-1 thrashing of Watford last Saturday.

But manager Bryan Robson feels City should be going into the game with an undefeated three-game run.

"I thought when we won against Coventry and got a good win at Norwich, we had got away from people patting us on the back and saying the performance was good but that we were unlucky.

"It wasn't unlucky against Cardiff because Simon Francis was rash in the tackle when he gave the penalty away. Before that the game had 0-0 written all over it."

Robson has battled for a week to get Wallwork on board.

"At Manchester United I worked with Ronnie for a year in the reserves with Brian McClair.

"He is a very good player - I don't think Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to lose him but Ronnie wanted first-team football.

"He is a utility player who can play right back or centre-half for us. And, of course, he can play in midfield.

"I just thought he was a good player to bring into the squad. I have told Ronnie where I will be playing him tomorrow and what is expected of him.

"Hopefully he'll just slot in. He is only going to have two days training with the boys but if you are a good player, you can play with anybody.

"People have talked about Ronnie being defensive-minded but I saw a lot in his locker at Manchester United.

"He can get forward and score goals if he gets that licence to go forward. He's an all-round player who can pass the ball and he can tackle. And he can get you a goal."

Robson added: "Ronnie had no problems coming up to Bradford. He's looked at the squad and thinks we've got some good players.

"He thinks we have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation.

"We need a lot of players in here who are confident we can win the battle."

Robson said relegation was not a banned word within the squad.

"But what I do say is that there are 18 games to go and that is a hell of a lot of points at this stage of the season."

Tomorrow is FA Cup day and City have a marvellous opportunity to steal a march on their rivals, as their clash with Palace is the only First Division game taking place.

Skipper David Wetherall and Danny Cadamarteri are slight worries.

Robson said: "They are carrying knocks but they have come through training so hopefully they will be okay.

"And Gareth Farrelly has got a chance. He's come through this week's training. He's surprised us all with the recovery he's made from his hamstring injury.

"But at this stage I'd say he is 50-50."