MIDFIELD enforcer Karl Henry has jumped into the thick of City’s relegation fight.

The vastly-experienced player has signed initially for two months – and could go straight into tomorrow’s huge home clash with Oxford.

Henry, who turns 36 on Monday, has been without a club since the end of last season when he left Bolton.

He joined Phil Parkinson’s side from QPR in September last year and was a significant figure in their battle for Championship safety, making 33 league starts.

He was released by the club after they couldn’t sort something financially.

Henry said: “I’m at a stage now in my career where I want to play. I didn’t think it would have taken this long for me to have signed somewhere.

“But the gaffer asked me if I wanted to come, to which I said ‘most definitely’.

“It’s obviously a huge club and one of the things the gaffer said to me was to come and play in front of 16,000 – they are expecting 20,000 this weekend – and for League One that is huge support.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the away fans as well. It’s important that they are behind us and we’ve got to do everything on the pitch to make sure they are.

“I’m very keen. Anybody who knows me knows what I’m about – I’m competitive, I’m a winner and I want to play games.

“I’m at that stage of my career where I can let it peter out, turn up somewhere and put my feet up, or I can go somewhere where I can fight for my place.

“I want to come here, earn a place in the team, hopefully help the club get out the relegation zone and if I can earn an extended deal then that’s my target.”

Henry has played 564 senior games in a career included seven-year spells with Stoke and Wolves – and scored for the Potters at Valley Parade on Boxing Day 2002.

He becomes the second free agent in as many weeks to join David Hopkin’s squad following the arrival of Paul Caddis.

Hopkin, who has heavily criticised the club’s summer recruitment policy, had previously brought in Jim O’Brien in September.