with a view to a permanent deal.

Lightbourne, who was transfer listed by Second Division Stoke City just before Christmas has just returned from a month's stint at Swindon Town.

However, injury and postponed matches meant his stay was not a happy one and he went back to Stoke with his future unclear.

The club announced yesterday that the Welsh team -- one of the best supported in the lower divisions -- had moved in for him and although he didn't play in last night's clash at Halifax, he is expected to figure in the Bluebirds' game against Kidderminster on Sunday.

Cardiff, third placed in Division Three, are currently in the midst of an injury and suspension crisis and three of the club's four strikers are likely to be unavailable over the next few weeks.

Leo Fortune-West is suspended as is Gavin Gordon and top scorer Robert Earnshaw is out with a knee injury.

The move from Swindon to Cardiff is a rags to riches tale for Lightbourne.

Whereas the Robins were unlikely to have had the cash to fund a deal for the Bermudian even if they had wanted to, City are rolling in it, relatively speaking, having been taken over by former Wimbledon chairman Sam Hamman this season.

The Bermudian's stay at Ninian Park will come to an end towards the end of March -- a time that coincides with the deadline for clubs to transfer players in England.

And if he impresses City boss Bobby Gould, Wales' former national team manager, he could earn himself a move out of Stoke within a matter of weeks.

If not, however, it is likely the 32-year-old will have to see out his contract in the Potteries and look to move when he becomes a free agent in the summer.

Stoke City's football executive, John Rudge, said he was confident Lightbourne would be able to help City's promotion push.

"It's a great chance for Kyle to impress an ambitious club trying to go places,'' he said. "I'm sure he can do a job for them and they will have a decision to make when his month ends just about on transfer deadline day.'' He added: "The loan has been arranged with a deal in mind, although at this stage we are just waiting to see what develops and how well Kyle does down there.'' Rudge said he believed the move was good for both parties. Stoke had been able to farm out a player that was surplus to requirements and Lightbourne would be able to put himself in the shop window at a high-profile club.

"It's a good move for Kyle because Cardiff are going well and he is likely to get his chance to impress.'' Kyle Lightbourne: Wales bound.