Adriano Basso was today on the Bristol City team coach which travelled north to Lancashire.

But the goalkeeper has not withdrawn his written transfer request and is still refusing to sign a new contract.

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson had no choice but to include Basso in the squad to face Preston North End in tomorrow's opening Coca-Cola Championship fixture after his quest to sign a goalkeeper on loan before the weekend fell through.

Dean Gerken will start the game at Deepdale with Basso providing cover on the bench.

If Basso's stance has not changed following Tuesday night's Carling Cup first round tie at Brentford, Johnson will press ahead with plans to recruit another goalkeeper on loan.

Although Basso was given time to reconsider the written transfer request he handed in last month, Johnson still took the precaution of lining-up a loan signing to act as cover for Gerken. But his intended target, who plays for a Premier League club, will not be available until the middle of next week.

A club spokesman confirmed: "The club concerned have reported one or two injury niggles with their goalkeepers and need to keep the lad a few more days to provide cover.

"Gerken will start in goal against Preston and Basso will be on the bench for that game and the Carling Cup tie at Brentford."

For full report, see tomorrow's Evening Post.