Bristol City ‘about to terminate’ goalkeeper’s contract as Championship rivals hit with points deduction

Bristol City enter the international break with four defeats from their last six matches following a 2-0 loss against Swansea City. on Sunday

The Robins are back in action against Reading on April 1 as they prepare for the final stint of their Championship campaign.

Nigel Pearson’s side appear safe from relegation but are unlikely to make a push for the play-offs with eight league games remaining.

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Haikin poised for Bodø/Glimt return

Bristol City goalkeeper Nikita Haikin is set to rejoin Norway-based Bodø/Glimt just three months after leaving the club.

Reports in Norway from Nettavisen claim the goalkeeper has reached a verbal agreement with his old club. He signed a short-term deal with City in January, but the report adds that is set to be terminated.

Haikin was only ever named on the bench for the Robins and did not make a senior appearance for Pearson’s side. The Norwegian transfer window is open for another two weeks, with the deal yet to be officially signed.

Wigan deducted three points

City’s Championship rivals Wigan Athletic have been docked three points by the EFL for a failure to play player salaries in March.

It is the fourth time the club have been late issuing monthly payments, after failing to do so in June, July and October. A suspended three-point deduction was applied in January which has now been issued, after another failure to pay their players on time.

As part of their agreement with the EFL in January, the Latics agreed to a suspended points penalty until December 31 after “multiple breaches” of EFL regulations.

As part of the agreed decision, owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi was told to deposit 125 per cent of its forecast monthly wage bill in a designated club account. This has also not happened, with new charges issued to the club while Al-Jasmi will also be charged with an Independent Disciplinary Commission to deal with the case.