Plans are already afoot for Bristol City to recruit players in the summer, with up to four new faces expected to arrive at Ashton Gate over the coming months.
Transfer director Brian Tinnion believes at least four players could come in and that could grow if Alex Scott is sold this summer. Several positions need strengthening and the last eight games of the season for the Robins will let them get a picture as to who is ready for the Championship.
Centre-back for sure is a position that needs strengthening in, and in the last few matches their lack of options there has cost them. Rob Atkinson is out for the remainder of the campaign, and could miss the whole of pre-season as well as some of the next, after a serious knee injury.
Tomas Kalas is out-of-contract in the summer, and he has a groin problem that has him out for the next few weeks, limiting his time to prove to Nigel Pearson that he deserves a new deal. George Tanner, Max O'Leary and Nahki Wells have all got new contracts but will Kalas get one? It remains to be seen, and there will be a desire for the Czech Republic of international to stay fit if he does.
There's a desire to sign players that are on the younger side, so we should limit it at around 26-years-old, but Pearson does also think there's a need for experience in the Championship so there are some exceptions.
Here's 10 players who have played in the Championship this season or are contracted to second-tier clubs that could be worth considering. What do you think?
5. Amadou Mbengue - Reading
Mbengue signed a short-term deal with Reading until the end of the season and at just 21, is someone City can use for the now and in the future. | Getty Images Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
6. Jake Cooper - Millwall
Cooper will have plenty of suitors with Rangers linked, and Millwall are pushing for the play-offs. City managed to tempt Naismith to leave after being in a top six side, so why can’t they do the same with Cooper? | Getty Images Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
7. Kean Bryan - West Brom
Bryan’s experience has mainly come in League One with Bury and Oldham, but also played in the Premier League with Sheffield United. At West Brom, he’s made just three appearances and has a cruciate ligament problem. He would provide a risk, but could be one worth taking. | POOL/AFP via Getty Images Photo: POOL/AFP via Getty Images
8. Bobby Thomas - Burnley
He’s not played for Burnley in the Championship, but is contracted to them and could help Barnsley get there. Thomas was at Rovers earlier in the season, and has a knack of scoring goals. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images)