Nigel Pearson gives his findings from his Oxford United v MK Dons scouting trip after Elliott Moore linked

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has explained his midweek scouting mission to Oxford United last week.

The Robins boss attended the U’s 1-0 win over MK Dons on April 19 as per reported by BristolWorld, which made for transfer speculation over who he may have been watching.

Elliott Moore, who worked with Pearson at Leicester City and Belgian outfit OH Leuven, was suggested as one.

Moore, has played 31 times in the league under Karl Robinson this season and kept a clean sheet in front of Pearson, as former Bristol Rovers man Billy Bodin scored the winner.

But whilst Moore was suggested as a target, left-back Steve Seddon was also suggested by football reporter Gregor MacGregor, though Seddon did not play.

But the 58-year-old dismissed the question of whether he was watching Moore, stating how his previous knowledge of the player would be enough to shape his opinion on him.

‘I was at Oxford watching Oxford versus MK Dons,” said Pearson.

“I’ve had Elliot Moore at Leicester and at OHL. Why would I go and watch him in a game if I was going to watch Elliot?

“He’s a good lad, he’s doing well at the level he is playing.

“Who I am looking at is nothing to do with you quite frankly.”

Moore is out of contract with the League One outfit at the end of the season, which would suit City in their pursuit of bargain buys this summer amidst an uncertain transfer market.

Oxford do have an option though to extend his contract should they want to activate the clause.

Should he appear as a summer target then City have already dealt with Oxford previously under nder Pearson.

Last summer, Rob Atkinson was brought to Ashton Gate from the U’s for a fee of just under £2m.

Atkinson has made 32 appearances since a move from the Kassam Stadium and has become a first-team regular in recent months.

But whilst the attention is on Oxford, Pearson did not reveal whether his scouting mission was just for Oxford.

Pearson attended the match alongside his assistant Curtis Fleming and sounded out some of his long-term targets, with the hope of them potentially making the step up to Championship football.

Pearson said: “It was two decent times with a number of players in there who may or may not be able to make the step up.

“The watching brief for that is me and Curtis decided to just go and have a look at one or two players who we have been viewing over a period of time.

“And Elliot wasn’t one of them as it happens. It doesn’t matter. I am allowed to go to games from time to time.”

And on the topic of Moores, this time Taylor was brought up the City boss in his pre-match press conference as speculation continues on his long-term future.

Taylor, a contracted Bristol City player, is on loan at Scottish Premiership side Hearts and recently spoke in a candid interview about his future.

He said that discussions would be had with the football club, as well as his agent and his family this summer, though those could already be had.

The 24-year-old is out of favour under the current City regime and was loaned out in August, but he holds another year on his contract.

Given the desire for a new centre-back and Moore not being in contention for a return to the side, his future looks to be away from the club.

“I have spoken to him and he knows where he stands with me,” responded Pearson in a short answer.