Bristol City boss Gary Johnson says he is no longer prepared to gamble on signing overseas players. His comments come on the day Alvaro Saborio finally admitted defeat in his bid to carve out a career for himself in the Championship and returned home to his native Costa Rica. Signed on loan from Swiss First Division club FC Sion last August, the 27-year-old striker never settled and was left out of the squad altogether for recent games against Sheffield United and Leicester City. His loan deal with City was yesterday terminated by mutual consent and the Costa Rica international has also cut his ties in Switzerland in order to return home and be near his family.
Bristol Evening Post

Alvaro Saborio has returned to Costa Rica after his loan at Bristol City was ended by mutual consent along with his contract at FC Sion. The striker, who scored twice in 21 appearances for the Robins this season, has gone back to his homeland in order to be with his family. Boss Gary Johnson said: "Alvaro's had problems at home and it's been so bad for him that he's asked to cancel his deal here and end his time with (parent club) FC Sion as well. I don't know what the situation is with his family but it certainly affected his training and he lost his form. He became a shadow of himself and if you're not mentally up for the Championship then it stands out like a sore thumb. It must be a big problem to cut your career short and return home." Teamtalk

Bristol City midfielder Cole Skuse may be fit to face Coca-Cola Championship title contenders West Bromwich Albion. Robins boss Gary Johnson feared he might have to go into Sunday's BBC-televised encounter against Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies without one of his most effective players. Skuse was forced to leave the pitch after 59 minutes of Tuesday's clash with Leicester after suffering an injury to his left forearm. City's medical staff at first feared the midfielder had suffered a fracture and sent him to the Bristol Royal Infirmary for a check up. But X-rays revealed no serious damage and Johnson is hopeful Skuse will be available to line up against Albion in Sunday's lunch-time kick-off at Ashton Gate (2pm).
Bristol Evening Post

Coventy City loan signing Freddie Sears has revealed he turned down the chance to move to Bristol City before joining the Sky Blues.
Sky Sports

Matt Oakley will be aiming to break his goal-scoring duck for the season at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. The Leicester City skipper went agonisingly close at Bristol City on Tuesday, a second-half shot hitting a post, so nothing would give him more pleasure than to hit the elusive target at Home Park. "I'm getting a bit of stick at the minute because I haven't scored this season so, hopefully, one will go in soon," said Oakley.
Leicester Mercury

Southend have taken former Bristol City winger Andre Blackman on trial.
Sky Sports