Liam Fontaine rates new Bristol City team-mate Jon Stead one of the best strikers currently operating in the Championship. City's talented centre-back has firsthand experience of marking Stead, who came up against the Robins on a number of occasions when playing for Sheffield United and Ipswich. And he described the 27-year-old forward, who arrived from Ipswich on a three-year deal earlier this week, as a "real handful". Stead is expected to make his City debut against his last club at Portman Road this afternoon and Fontaine expects him to make an immediate impact.
Bristol Evening Post

Bristol Rovers are hoping new target-man John Akinde can keep up an impressive record of scoring on his debut when he joins them for today's home clash with Southampton. The 6ft 2ins striker was signed on loan from Bristol City yesterday and goes straight into the squad for the game against League One's title favourites at the Memorial Stadium. The initial deal will see the 21-year-old striker remain with the Pirates until January 5, when the transfer window is open again, and the move is with a view to a possible permanent deal. Rovers have been searching for a big target-man since Rickie Lambert joined the Saints in a £1 million move more than a year ago and boss Paul Trollope is delighted the long search for a forward who can beef up their front line has been concluded.
Bristol Evening Post