The majority of Bristol City’s squad is under contract for next season, so there isn’t too much of a dramatic hinge to them naming their retained list. Nevertheless, one will go and talks continue with one more.
It was a strong second half to the season by the Robins which allowed them to survive their first season in the Championship after being promoted as League One champions. Lee Johnson is targeting a strong season overall next year.
First of all, Scott Wagstaff, who has had his injury problems but has mainly been on the fringes of the fist-team squad this season, isn’t necessarily leaving the club. Head coach Johnson has decided that they will want for a week or so before resuming talks. Johnson commented,
“I had a good chat with Scott and we’ve decided to leave things for a week to ten days.
“At that point we’ll sit down again and see where we both are with regards to contract discussions.”
The 26-year-old joined the club in July 2013, after previously playing for Charlton Athletic. His future will become clearly in a few weeks’ time.
Finally, Karleigh Osborne will be leaving Ashton Gate. The towering defender is currently out on loan at AFC Wimbledon and will be hoping to gain promotion via the League Two play-offs. There is every chance he could look to make that loan deal permanent, especially as he is now a free agent.
He also spent time out on loan at Colchester United the season before as well, so has clearly found it hard to break into the team under both Johnson and Steve Cotterill.
The remainder of the first-team squad are under contract and should report for pre-season duty.
