Bristol City struggle to hold on to starlet as Bristol Rovers’ goalkeeping debate continues

Bristol City will be beginning to start preparations for their fifth round FA Cup match next week against Premier League giants Manchester City.

The Robins recently drew 1-1 at Sunderland and currently sit 15th in the Championship. They will host Hull City this weekend ahead of the FA Cup clash and as this is a competition notoriously full of magical upsets, Nigel Pearson will hope his side can pull off a big one when they take on Pep Guardiola’s squad next week.

Bristol Rovers, on the other hand, will continue their fight to rise up in League One. The Gas currently sit 15th in the league and will prepare to travel to Oxford United this weekend as they strive to close the gap between them and the playoff positions.

Here is all you need to know about the latest transfers from the Robins and the Gas...

Robins set to lose starlet to Premier League

The Sun has reported that West Ham United and Crystal Palace are just two Premier League sides to have checked in on Bristol City’s Alex Scott. It is also believed they have been joined by Leeds United, Wolves and Tottenham.

It would appear that there could be quite the battle set up with a fee of £20m being asked for by the club, according to the report. However, neither Palace or the Hammers would reportedly be willing to part with that sum of money for the midfielder and former player Carlton Palmer has weighed in on what he thinks should be done.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: “From the outside looking in, I don’t think Alex Scott will be a Bristol City player come the summer. They had a lot of interest in him in the January transfer window and managed to keep hold of him, but are set to see even more interest surface.”

Former Bristol City manager linked with Championship rivals

Queens Park Rangers are set to appoint Gareth Ainsworth as their new manager but former Bristol City boss Dean Holden had been high on the list of candidates to take over. The Championship side sacked Neil Critchely on Sunday, after just 12 games in charge and the side are now sitting just eight points away from the drop zone.

According to talkSPORT, QPR considered luring Holden away from his role at Charlton Athletic, since the former Robins man has guided his side to 11th in the league - five places up from where they were when he started - but the club owner Thomas Sandgaard dismissed those claims, insisting they received no request to speak with their manager, as reported by South London Press.

Rovers hold out hope for star goalkeeper

There has been a lot of talk in BS7 around goalkeepers and who is best fit to serve under Joey Barton but the Rovers manager has put his hopes in the long-term project of Jed Ward who is currently performing well out on loan.

The 19-year-old has been a star figure for Hungerford Town this season, alongside fellow Rovers talent Ryan Jones, and Ward’s displays have been crucial in his team’s battle in the National League South relegation battle. Speaking about his future talents, Barton has said: “Part of us getting another goalkeeper in was to guarantee Jed going out on loan and getting the minutes he needs to grow into his potential.

“He’s someone I see as a possibility for our number one going forward. How soon that is will depend on his development, but I am also mindful of the way he plays the position and the way I want it played. The more time he spends with us, the closer and closer he becomes to being the ideal keeper for the way my team plays.”