David CuffleyNorwich City loan striker Stephen Elliott is likely to find a familiar face in the opposing defence when they face Leeds United in Saturday's crunch League One encounter at Carrow Road.David Cuffley

Norwich City loan striker Stephen Elliott is likely to find a familiar face in the opposing defence when they face Leeds United in Saturday's crunch League One encounter at Carrow Road.

Leeds boss Simon Grayson has moved quickly to cover for injured defender Patrick Kisnorbo by signing Neill Collins from Preston on loan for the rest of the season.

Centre-back Collins, a team-mate of Elliott at Deepdale - and before that at Wolves and Sunderland - could make his debut against the Canaries.

Kisnorbo suffered an Achilles injury against Millwall on Monday and is out for the rest of the season, wrecking his hopes of going to the World Cup with Australia.

Collins was on loan at Preston from Wolves before making a permanent �600,000 move but he has been out of favour since Darren Ferguson's arrival as manager.

The 26-year-old was all set to make the trip to Middlesbrough with Preston on Tuesday morning when the call came through that Grayson wanted to bring him to Leeds.

"I was on my way to the meeting point for Preston's game at Middlesbrough," he said. "I then got a call saying not to travel because I could be going to Leeds. It all happened very quickly.

"I was delighted when I heard of Leeds' interest. I was very keen to get there - everyone who comes says it's a huge club - and I want to help win promotion.

"The last few months have not been ideal. Things had been going well for me, I was playing every week, but the new manager came in and he has own ideas, and things change.

"Everyone wants to play football, but to come to such a club at such an important time makes it all the better.

"I'm at an age where I want to be playing and make a contribution. I see it as an upward move with the club's sights set on the Championship and it excites me.

"It's a great opportunity to come from a relegation battle to a promotion battle and hopefully help the club get a step closer to where it wants to be."

Grayson has also extended defender Shane Lowry's loan from Aston Villa in time for the game against City.

He said: "Due to Paddy's injury on Monday night I felt it was important to bring someone in.

"Neill has good experience at Sunderland, Wolves, and Preston, and he will have an important role to play.

"He is an aggressive centre-back who I think will be a big addition to the squad at what is an important time."

Collins has won previous promotions with Sunderland and Wolves, and is hoping he can bring added experience to the Leeds camp at what is proving to be a tense time.

"The experience should be a huge help," he said. "Playing for Leeds brings pressure anyway, but I'd like to think I will thrive on it.

"Last year we hit a blip at Wolves, but that doesn't mean your season is in crisis. The lads at Leeds have done fantastic to get here and be here, and now it's a case of finishing it off."