Nigel Pearson confirms that Bristol City left-sided player will be staying at Ashton Gate

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has ruled out a transfer for defender Jay Dasilva this summer.

The Robins left-back was of interest to Birmingham City in the January window and Pearson has admitted that the former Chelsea full-back’s future in BS3 was uncertain previously.

BristolWorld reported last December that the player’s future may lie elsewhere, too, but Dasilva has impressed Pearson in the last months and played himself into the manager’s future plans.

“It’s a great story. Before November when we had a conversation, Jay’s time here looked to be not particularly secure,” explained Pearson ahead of Saturday’s fine win over Hull City.

“What I will say about him, and I’ve never had any doubt that he’s a really good footballer, but he’s doing what the team needs now.

“He’s doing the legwork. He’s a really intelligent footballer. And I’m just delighted that he’s going to be here next year,” said Pearson.

Dasilva has contested the left-sided wing-back position for much of the season with Cameron Pring and Callum O’Dowda, but also played nine times during the league campaign on the right side of defence to show his versatility.

After an injury-hit 2020/21 season, the former England U21 player - with 13 caps at that level - has shown some of his best form of late, with the winning goal at Stoke City the glossy finish to his recent displays.

The 24-year-old has featured 35 times in the Championship this year, eight of those coming from the bench, with four assists recorded.

“Things can change in football and whatever decisions are made in a period of time where it feels appropriate, it doesn’t mean that things can’t change,” added Pearson.

“It’s really up to players’ abilities to fight for themselves as much as anything, and I’ve been alluding to that for a long time. It’s really important to have a group of people here who have a drive to improve not just themselves but the collective.

“That’s the biggest thing for us,” explained Pearson further.

With Pring enjoying a good breakthrough year too, City have two good options for the left of defence, even with O’Dowda’s future at the club at doubt. The Republic of Ireland winger is out of contract this summer.

The Robins are in the process of handing new contracts to central defenders Timm Klose and Robbie Cundy, as reported last week, and Bristol City’s defence is coming together for the 2022/23 season.

The Robins intend to replace Danny Simpson on the right, and have been watching Oxford United’s Mark Sykes, and they may recruit a centre-back if Nathan Baker does not return to the pitch.

CEO Richard Gould gave an upate on the 31-year-old centre-back’s condition at the weekend.

“It’s a really difficult situation because of that injury he suffered at Sheffield United in the snow,” Gould told Geoff Twentyman on BBC Radio Bristol’s pre-match show on Saturday.

“That’s still being worked through. When it comes to head injuries, you see it’s a really major topic at the moment and we need to take things very slowly.

“We do not want to rush things. That’s a decision that will crystallise as we head towards the summer,” said Gould.

Young defenders George Tanner and Duncan Idehen will also compete for first-team involvement next season.

Former captain Tomas Kalas still has a year to run on his current contract.