Steve Coppell is looking to the transfer market to solve Bristol City's mounting manpower crisis. No fewer than five players are currently sidelined through injury, including star strikers Danny Haynes and Nicky Maynard. Captain Louis Carey and fellow defenders Christian Ribeiro and James Wilson are yet to play any part in City's pre-season campaign, while several other senior professionals are still recovering from old injuries. And with time fast running out before the opening game of the npower Championship campaign against Millwall at Ashton Gate on August 7, the manager admitted he may have to bring in new faces to bolster his depleted squad. Speaking in the wake of last night's 2-1 friendly defeat at Torquay United, Coppell said: "The squad is a lot sparser than I envisaged it being at this stage. It's frustrating, because I want to share the workload between the players, but we simply do not have enough available at the moment."
Bristol Evening Post
David Clarkson gave new boss Steve Coppell food for thought with a poacher's goal as Bristol City were beaten at Plainmoor. Clarkson displayed predatory instincts to give his side a 55th minute lead against Torquay and press his case for inclusion when City open their Championship account at home to Millwall on August 7. His incisive contribution apart, City's performance against League Two opposition raised more questions than it answered as the Gulls came from behind to claim a notable but deserved scalp, courtesy of well-taken goals from Lee Mansell and Mark Ellis. During a first half heavy on labour but light on incident, it was League Two Torquay who proved the more cohesive unit and engineered the best chances in front of goal.
Bristol Evening Post
Plans for a £92-million football stadium in Bristol have been thrown into disarray after councillors refused permission for a new Sainsbury's superstore at Ashton Gate. Bristol City FC and Sainsbury's are now considering whether to appeal against last night's dramatic decision. The supermarket chain wanted to move its existing store off Winterstoke Road to the site of City's ground. But after a four-hour meeting at the Council House, members of the Development Control (South and East) committee turned down the plan by four votes to two, with two abstentions.
Bristol Evening Post
