James Wilson has returned to Ashton Gate after his three-month loan spell at Brentford ended.

The youngster played 16 games during his time with Brentford, including six clean sheets which have propelled the Bees up to ninth place in the League Two table.

Gary Johnson told bcfc.co.uk: "We've had someone watching each one of his games, and I've watched him on TV or the match video a number of times. The general consensus is he did very well.

"It's a level which he's comfortable with, which is good because he's a confident lad and he has to get on the ball, competing with second division strikers, and some clever ones at that.

"The loan has certainly served its purpose which is why we left him there for three months. Brentford did very well in his time there and he was part of that. He's proved to himself and to us that's he's going to be a very good player in the future, and the not too distant future at that.

"He's still got a bit to do as it's a big step from League Two to the Championship. He's certainly showed a good ability and mentality - he's grown up as a player."

Brentford have already made public their desire to bring James back to Griffin Park, although this would not be able to happen until January when the window re-opens.

The 19-year-old has spent 93 days at Brentford, meaning he is no longer eligible to go back to the Bees on another emergency loan deal. He could join any other club on an emergency loan, however. If he does return to Brentford in January it would have to be on a 'standard' loan, meaning City would have no recall clause, or permanent switch.

"There's always interest to keep a player when he does well," Gary added. "But they have to remember that he's our Championship player - and we need to see where we go when we get to that stage.

"He's come back and will play in the reserves alongside the other professionals. We need to assess it after every month and if I feel he's too far away from the first team then maybe we'll have a look at [another loan move] and maybe that would be a League One team this time.

"Some people may want us to push it and shove him in the first team, but there aren't too many 19-year-old centre-backs in the Championship, certainly not on a regular basis.

"He's got his confidence now, he knows he can play league football and he's a good lad as well. He's clever and knows where he is and what he needs to do."