Nigel Pearson reveals major contract decision as three are set to depart Bristol City

Nigel Pearson has confirmed three members of the Bristol City squad have already been told their future lies away fro Ashton Gate.

The Robins manager will be hoping to conduct some business during the January transfer window as his side look to move on from a poor run of form that has led to them sitting just three points and three places above the relegation zone as the new year got underway.

Pearson revealed several other members of his squad have been handed an opportunity to extend their time at Ashton Gate, with striker Nahki Wells confirmed as one player that has received an offer of a new deal.

The former Bradford City and Burnley star has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 28 appearances in all competitions this season and will be a key part of City’s bid to avoid relegation during the second half of the season.

But the future is not as bright for a number of his existing team-mates after Pearson admitted three of his squad have already been informed they will not be part of his plans for next season and are free to find new employers in the near-future.

Speaking before the West Brom game at Christmas to BBC Radio Bristol, he said: “Three players have been told that they won’t be getting contracts next year.

“We’ve decided to do it early so that people can try and find alternative solutions. If we can do stuff in January, we’ll need to generate the opportunity to do it, whether that’s players going out which frees up a bit (of money), or whether we can do something outside of that, I still can’t give you the definitive answer to that.

“What I will say is that we have offered contracts to a number of our players who are out of contract, Nahki being one of those and the interesting thing is they’ll all be offered less than they’re on now. That’s where we are. We’ll keep you updated when we can give you further details about where other players sit, decide, whatever - and there are a number of players who we haven’t still made decisions on.

“We’re trying to look forward and plan forward and at least players, whether they’ve been offered a contract or they haven’t, at least they know where they are. Those players will be in discussions with whoever about how they move forward.”

City are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host Championship rivals Swansea City in the third round of the FA Cup.