Manning’s still looking to bolster his City squad
LIAM Manning has revealed that there hasn’t yet been a significant change in the situation between Bristol City and Tommy Conway but that “bits are going on behind the scenes.”
The striker has been forced to train with City’s Under-21s having rejected their latest contract offer with the 21-year-old now in the final year of his deal with the Robins. Conway has been back at the High Performance Centre (HPC) for almost a fortnight now having been given an extended break after being part of Scotland’s
Euro 2024 squad alongside Ross McCrorie, although neither player got on the pitch. That has meant that the academy graduate, who scored 12 goals for City last season, has played no part in pre-season games.
Asked for an update on the situation with Conway, the Robins head coach said: “Not at the minute. Tommy’s coming in every day, working hard and doing what he needs to do. The staff are looking after him. There are bits going on behind the scenes but nothing is done as of yet”
The 38-year-old also admitted that he would like to see City sign another player or two before the transfer window shuts on August 30.
He said: “I’ve been delighted with the ones that we’ve managed to get. We’ve gotten them ahead of other Championship clubs which is always good for us. But I still think we need to add one or two before the window closes.”
Meanwhile, City followed up Friday night’s 3-0 win at Cheltenham Town with a 2-1 victory against Exeter City at the HPC on Saturday afternoon.
Two second-half goals from Harry Cornick put City in command before the visitors pulled a goal back late one through Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis. Sam Bell had an early strike saved by Exeter’s
Joe Whitworth, then Scotland international Ross McCrorie hit the crossbar with a header.
Neither side created a clear chance in the rest of the first half, but on 57 minutes, Cornick fired home following good work from Raekwon Nelson down the left flank. After French striker Fally Mayulu saw his header land on the roof of the net, Cornick volleyed home his second.
Subs Ayman Benarous and Josh Stokes came close to a third, before Magennis scored Exeter’s penalty.
City starting line-up: Bajic, McCrorie, Vyner, Campbell-Slowly, Naismith, Williams, Stokes, GardnerHickman, Bell, Cornick, Mayulu.