Bristol City boss Derek McInnes to monitor Neil Danns situation
Bristol City manager Derek McInnes has expressed an interest in signing Neil Danns on a permanent basis in January.
Recruited on a two-month loan deal from npower Championship rivals Leicester City in November, the combative midfielder has made eight appearances for the Robins and impressed in the centre of midfield.
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Derek McInnes
His high-energy performances and goals have contributed to an improved run of results and the Liverpudlian has fitted in well at Ashton Gate,
But Danns is set to make the final appearance of his loan spell against Millwall on New Year's Day at the New Den.
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Leicester have refused permission for him to play for City in Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and the experienced campaigner will return to the King Power Stadium after City's game in south London.
But Danns has been starved of opportunity at Leicester and, so far this season, has not featured in manager Nigel Pearson's plans. If that remains the case, McInnes is prepared to bring the midfielder back to Ashton Gate, providing the price is right.
McInnes commented: "The loans are not just our decision, but for their parent clubs to decide on.
"Danns plays his last game for us against Millwall on Tuesday. I've enjoyed working with him and I'd like to continue working with him.
"Let's go and get another positive result on Tuesday and then see where we are after that."
A number of loan deals and short-term contracts come to an end in January and McInnes will seek to move players out in order to free up funds for new signings when the transfer window re-opens for business on Wednesday.
He confirmed: "January is an important window for us to try and re-jig one or two things and, hopefully, go on the type of run that can help us get away from the bottom.
"There will be one or two players moving on and, hopefully, one or two coming in.
"I need to move a few players on before that can happen.
"The board and Steve have been really supportive and they have said, if the right player is there to bring in and we can get good value for money, then they will back me.
"There has been a real change in our recruitment policy and we want to try and buy young, hungry players, who bring value to the squad.
"I'm sure if the right ones become available, we will try and do that.
"But it has to be said, we will have to move some players on as well. There are a lot of players who have not been playing regularly here and a few of those will have to go out to get regular football.
"How active we will be will be dependent on results between now and the end of January."
Loan signings Danny Wilson and Stephen McManus are due to return to Liverpool and Middlesbrough respectively later this month, while fellow defenders Mark Wilson and Matthew Bates are out of contract.
In the market for central defenders, McInnes may well offer Bates a deal until the end of the season. The former England youth international has made seven first team starts since joining City in November and has proved his recovery from serious injury.
McManus has also acquitted himself well and is another player who is sure to be on the manager's radar. But the Scot is due to return to the Riverside after City play Leeds on January 19 and his future is less certain.
Danny and Mark Wilson are likely to go to free up funds, while striker Brett Pitman is expected to make his loan move to Bournemouth permanent during the next week.
A number of other players, who have not featured regularly this season, could be sent out on loan in search of regular first team football.
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