Gary Johnson has asked Wolves if he can keep Chris Iwelumo for a further month.

But the Post understands Bristol City's manager has been told to prepare to make do without the big target-man once his loan spell expires next Saturday.

Scotland international Iwelumo has made a big impact since joining the Robins on February 13, helping to halt a slide which had threatened to plunge the club into a relegation battle.

Iwelumo will again spearhead Bristol City FC's attack in today's home game against Doncaster Rovers and will be available for trips to Crystal Palace and Reading on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.

Johnson is keen to retain the services of the 6ft 3in target man and has already contacted Wolves boss Mick McCarthy.

But the likelihood is that Iwelumo will be recalled to Molineux as Wanderers fight to retain their Premier League status.

Johnson said: "We've been in touch with Wolves and they are aware that we would like to keep big Chris beyond next weekend if at all possible.

"It's out of our hands really and all we can do is let them know our position and then wait and see."

Johnson and McCarthy will discuss the matter towards the end of next week and Johnson has good reason to wish Wolves well when they host Premier League champions Manchester United this afternoon.

City's manager said, tongue lodged firmly in cheek: "I'll feel a lot happier asking Mick for a favour if Wolves have just had a good win!

"They had just beaten Spurs last month when I first asked if I could take Chris on loan and he said 'yes', so another victory for them this weekend might help my cause."

Inevitably, the final decision will be McCarthy's. He is currently deploying Republic of Ireland international Kevin Doyle as a lone striker and has Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andy Keogh as back-up.

"It may be that he has plans for Chris and wants him back," added Johnson. "The situation can change a lot over the course of the next week and we'll just have to wait and see.

"What I can tell you is that we have made it known to Wolves that we would like to keep Chris if we can."

Under pressure to avoid the drop and retain Wolves' Premier League status, McCarthy may well decide he needs another attacking option for the final two months of the campaign. Should he allow Iwelumo to stay in Bristol, he will have the option of recalling him at 24 hours' notice.

City's players have made their feelings clear and defender Bradley Orr told the Evening Post this week that he wants Iwelumo to stay, a sentiment echoed by team-mate Lee Johnson, who has clearly benefited from the presence of a big striker who can hold the ball up.

Johnson said: "Big Chris has come in and that has been good for us. It enables us to be confident to gamble and we know that, even if their defender wins the ball in the air, he is only going to nod it down.

"With Chris up there, you have always got a chance of him nodding it down or causing a problem and, against West Brom, I thought I was unlucky not to get a couple of breaks in the box.

"But I got in there about 10 or 15 times and that is when you get your chance."

Meanwhile, long-term absentee Brian Wilson is expected to launch his comeback in City's Totesport.Com Combination game at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.

Now recovered from surgery on his troublesome shin, the Mancunian returned to full-time training last Monday.

Johnson said: "We'll assess him nearer the time, but there is a chance Brian will play some part in Tuesday's reserve game.

"He's had an horrendous time of it and come through a really serious injury. It will take time and we don't want to rush him."

Meanwhile, City have been linked to out-of-favour Bolton Wanderers defender Danny Shittu.

Although the former Watford and QPR centre-back is understood to have featured on manager Johnson's list of potential loan signings, Bolton need the Nigerian as cover and have already rebuffed an approach from Swansea.