Coventry City's Bermudian striker Kyle Lightbourne will take a two-hour drive to London today to join Fulham on loan for one month.

Lightbourne, who knew nothing of Fulham's interest when contacted by The Royal Gazette last Friday, confirmed yesterday that he had spoken to his manager Gordon Strachan about the matter on the weekend when the team were in London to play Chelsea.

And after a telephone discussion yesterday with former England star Kevin Keegan, now Fulham's chief operating officer, the temporary move was finalised. Lightbourne will leave his wife and child in the Midlands but make regular trips back home.

"They are making it worth my while,'' said Lightbourne, who explained that Fulham would be responsible for his salary for the next month.

Lightbourne won't join the team in time for tonight's Auto Windscreens Cup match at Craven Cottage against Wycombe but he should be in the squad for Saturday's league match against the same team at home.

Fulham, who were promoted from the Third Division last season, are tied for third in the Second Division standings, 15 points away from one of the two automatic promotion spots, presently occupied by Bristol City and Watford.

"Bristol City and Watford are running away with it right now,'' Lightbourne said of the gap.

Lightbourne hasn't ruled out a permanent move to Fulham at the end of the loan period. However, at 29 that would all depend on whether the team are able to get promoted to the First Division.

"I just finished speaking to Kevin Keegan and I'm all set for a month's loan with the view to a permanent move,'' said Lightbourne.

"While it's up to them if I fit in with their plans, at the end of the day it's also up to me as well.

"I'm sure they have their sights on trying to make it to the First Division this year. They say they have a five-year plan to get into the Premiership.'' New club chairman Mohammed Al Fayed, owner of London department store Harrods, has made millions of dollars available to Keegan and manager Ray Wilkins to build Fulham into a top team.

The temporary move should enable Lightbourne to play first team football, something he has not been getting at Coventry who recently signed Romanian striker Viorel Moldovan for 3.25 million.

At Craven Cottage, which sits on the banks of the River Thames, Lightbourne will link up with Canadian striker Paul Peschisolido who joined the club for a record 1.2 million from West Bromwich Albion last October. Peschisolido has netted 13 goals this season, six of which came before his move from West Brom.

"Every time I've played against Fulham I've scored,'' said Lightbourne who recalls hitting a hat-trick for Walsall in a 5-1 win. He also scored in a 5-3 victory at Fulham's ground.

"This is a chance to score a few goals and get myself going. This may be what I need to kick-start my season.

"I'm not really getting any matches at Coventry. It's different playing in the reserves to first team football. The pace is different and the atmosphere is not as high.

"I presently have 88 or 89 goals (as a pro) so I would like to get to the 100 mark.'' Lightbourne will play about five matches for Fulham during his loan period, including three against teams in the relegation zone -- Wycombe, Luton and Southend -- and two others chasing promotion, Grimsby and Oldham.

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE -- Fulham move could be permament.