Bristol City's prospects of strengthening their injury-ravaged squad ahead of Saturday's home npower Championship clash with Barnsley are receding. New manager Keith Millen has made no secret of his desire to bring in "two or three" new faces this week. And City have renewed their interest in former targets Jon Stead and Jay Simpson in a quest to bolster an attack that has been hit hard by injuries to Nicky Maynard, Danny Haynes and Sam Vokes. But Arsenal youngster Simpson, 21, now looks certain to join Championship rivals Hull City, while Millen is still awaiting a response from Stead's agent.
Bristol Evening Post
Bristol City and Cardiff City want to sign Wolves forward Andrew Keogh on loan. The Robins have scored just one Championship goal so far in the new campaign and are keen to bolster their attacking options. Cardiff have already been busy in the transfer market on Tuesday after landing Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City.
Sky Sports
Arsenal striker Jay Simpson is reportedly close to securing a loan switch to Championship side Hull City. The 21-year-old forward has been the subject of interest from a number of second-tier clubs, with Bristol City and Leeds also thought to be chasing his signature.
Sky Sports
Jon Stead still looks set to leave Ipswich Town, despite his impressive start to the new season. Town boss Roy Keane has insisted that he will not stand in Stead's way, even though his 27-year-old striker scored in the opening day win at Middlesbrough, and then led the front-line to good effect in last Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Burnley. Keane remains intent on signing three new players this week. Celtic's 23-year-old centre-half Darren O'Dea should sign on loan in the next few days, while Wigan Athletic striker Jason Scotland and Cardiff front-runner Ross McCormack are also on the Irishman's radar. Stead has other options, including Bristol City, who are believed to have rekindled their interest in the Town frontman under new manager Keith Millen.
East Anglian Times
New Bristol City manager Keith Millen is confident he can bolster his injury-hit squad before Saturday's tie with Barnsley. The 43-year-old, who has taken over at Ashton Gate following the shock resignation of Steve Coppell, is in talks to bring in a striker and a left-sided player to the club. Millen insists that Coppell's departure will not affect the Robins in the transfer market and added that the club's immediate targets are unchanged. "I don't think it (Coppell quitting) makes any difference," Millen said.
Sky Sports
Louis Carey provided Bristol City manager Keith Millen with a boost when coming through unscathed on his long-awaited return to action. Forced to sit out the entire pre-season programme with a heel injury, City's captain played 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Cheltenham at Failand yesterday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Marlon Jackson scoring City's goal, and Carey afterwards declared himself ready to push for a place in the first team against Barnsley on Saturday. The Bristolian said: "I really needed the 90 minutes. I've been back in training for a couple of weeks now, but there is no substitute for playing matches."
Bristol Evening Post
Bristol City captain Louis Carey played 90 minutes in the club's reserve friendly with Cheltenham on Tuesday. The skipper was making his comeback from a heel injury in the 1-1 draw, which was held at the Robins' training ground.
Teamtalk
A wonderful piece of improvisation from Robin Shroot almost earned Cheltenham Town Reserves a win over a strong Bristol City second string at the Championship club's impressive training complex this afternoon. Cheltenham were awarded a free-kick for a foul on JJ Melligan near the edge of the penalty area in the 62nd minute. With City still organising their defensive wall, Birmingham City youngster Shroot, who played at the point of a midfield diamond, shaped to shoot with his right foot, but delicately curled a shot into the bottom corner with his left, completely deceiving goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.
Gloucestershire Echo
