LONDON, Feb 17: English Premiership strugglers Manchester City boosted their ailing attack with the signing of veteran Belgian international striker Emile Mpenza on Friday until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old, who has finished his contract with Qatari side Al Rayyan, still awaits international clearance before joining City, who are presently fifth from bottom of the Premiership, though 10 points clear of the relegation places.

Mpenza, who has scored 17 goals in 52 internationals for his country and has mostly played abroad including two spells in the Bundesliga with Schalke 04 and Hamburg, has been on trial at City.

Mpenza, twice a winner of the German Cup with Schalke 04 in 2001 and 2002, will be unavailable for Sunday's difficult FA Cup fifth-round tie at Championship highflyers Preston.—AFP