Gary Johnson insists Bristol City will not be held to ransom by greedy clubs or agents during the next month. The January transfer window opens for business tomorrow and City boss Johnson will once again be in the market for new signings. But he is adamant the club will not gamble it's future by paying over the odds. Johnson has made no secret of his desire to recruit a left-sided midfielder and he will meet with chairman Steve Lansdown in the next few days to discuss potential targets. Although Lansdown has always backed his manager with hard cash, Johnson says he is not prepared to pay the inflated fees which have become a characteristic of the January transfer window in recent seasons. "I'm always aware that I'm spending someone else's money," said Johnson. "Personally, I don't like the January transfer window and I've always been against it. Prices always tend to be double what they should be because clubs are looking to cash in on players who are out of contract at the end of the season. And then the agents get involved, speak to all sorts of different clubs and try to get a Dutch auction going to up the price."
Bristol Evening Post

Christian Ribeiro says he is ready, willing and able to take his Bristol City chance should it come along this weekend. Faced with a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday's FA Cup showdown with Cardiff, City manager Gary Johnson opted to cut short Ribeiro's loan spell at Stockport County and recall him to Ashton Gate. Although the Wales Under-21 defender is likely to be on the bench to provide cover, he is confident he can do a good job if called upon. Centre-backs Lewin Nyatanga and Jamie McCombe are ruled out by suspension and injury, respectively, wing-back Brian Wilson is a long-term casualty and Ribeiro said: "It looks as though there could be an opportunity for me. I got the call yesterday afternoon and I'm glad to be back in Bristol."
Bristol Evening Post

Swansea City are waiting to see whether Bristol City striker Lee Trundle will decide to stay on loan with the Swans until the summer. Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has offered the 33-year-old the chance to stay at the Liberty Stadium until the end of the season after he impressed during the first half of the campaign. Jenkins says he is now waiting for Trundle to get back to him on whether he will stay with the Swans or return to Ashton Gate in the new year. "I will be speaking to Lee today to finalise things with him, and I think he has made it clear that he will be happy to stay," he said.
Clubcall

Cardiff City midfielder Gavin Rae admits the Bluebirds' Peterborough collapse hurt more than the two fingers he broke at London Road. Rae will miss Saturday's third-round FA Cup tie at Bristol City after breaking his fingers in a collision with Posh striker Craig Mackail-Smith. But it's Cardiff's capitulation in throwing away a four-goal lead to the Championship's bottom club on Monday that is still uppermost in his thoughts. "It was unbelievable and I feel for the 2,000 Bluebirds fans who were there," said the Scotland midfielder, reflecting on the amazing 4-4 draw.
Wales Online