Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has joined Sheffield United until January 2 just before the loan window closed.

The 23-year-old has only just returned from a 28-day emergency spell at League One Charlton, and now finds himself thrust back into the Championship.

Six-foot three Ikeme, who is available for the Blades for seven games, is returning to the scene of one of his finest hours, one year and a day after producing a heroic display in Wolves’ 3-1 win at Bramall Lane.

Ikeme is set to make his debut on Saturday at Bristol City, who he made his Championship debut against for Wolves last season, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell needed cover with Paddy Kenny on a drugs ban for a year and Ian Bennett out with a fractured finger, leaving on-loan Blackburn Mark Bunn as the only goalkeeping cover.

The manager said: “With Ian Bennett out for an indeterminate amount of time we had no other goalkeeper at the club apart from Mark Bunn. With seven games between now and the new year I couldn’t afford to go into that period without another one in.

“Goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning and I have watched him a couple of times recently. Of the goalkeepers available he came out top as far as we’re concerned.

“Carl is involved straight away and I have told him and ‘Bunny’ that they have to fight out the number one spot – and prove to me they deserve it.”

Ikeme becomes the fourth Wolves player to be loaned out this week after George Friend extended his spell at Championship side Scunthorpe, Scott Malone joined League One Southend and Mark Little lengthened his stay at League Two Chesterfield.

Wolves also have Sam Vokes at Leeds, Darren Ward at Millwall, Daniel Jones at Notts County and Neill Collins at Preston, all until January, although the last three are with a view to permanent moves.