Bristol City's Derek McInnes 'in talks with Maynard'

McInnes left St Johnstone for Bristol City in October

Bristol City manager Derek McInnes has said contract talks with striker Nicky Maynard are still ongoing.

City have yet to secure the services of the 25-year-old beyond this season and he attracted interest from other Championship sides over the summer.

McInnes told BBC Radio Bristol: "The supporters can be rest assured - we're trying to keep the good players.

"At the moment we are working hard on a solution to get Nicky to stay because we want him to stay."

He added: "We'll expect to announce it, positive or negative, in the not too distant future."

Maynard, who joined City from Crewe for £2.25m in 2008, first entered contract discussions in April when former boss Keith Millen was still in charge but they failed to agree an extension.

The club then turned down a bid from Leicester City for the forward and it is thought Southampton and Nottingham Forest were also trying to lure him away from Ashton Gate.

"For me, he's a top Championship goalscorer and he's got the potential to go and play in the Premier League and to try to help us get there in time," continued McInnes.

"His goals are important to us. I want to work with good players and Nicky's a good player so I hope he stays."

Since his appointment in October, McInnes has opted to play Maynard up front on his own - leaving last season's top-scorer Brett Pitman on the bench.

Pitman has netted three goals in 19 games, while Maynard has scored seven in 21 and McInnes says he does not plan on making immediate changes to his system.

It's not to say Brett won't get his chance but it's important that when he does come on he tries to make an impact. He's got a big part to play Derek McInnes on out-of-favour striker Brett Pitman

"Brett is a player we've got a high opinion of," added the Scotsman. "He is quite similar to Nicky in style, in that they are best working around the 18-yard box.

"At the minute we've just got to work on a way to help us get results. At times I had Brett playing off the sides and off the wings and I don't think that's fair - you've got to have people playing in their natural position.

"It's not to say Brett won't get his chance but it's important that when he does come on he tries to make an impact. He's got a big part to play."