Gary Johnson believes pace can prove a priceless commodity in Bristol City's quest for the Championship play-offs.

City already possess arguably the quickest player in the second tier, in the shape of flying Northern Ireland winger Ivan Sproule, while strikers Danny Haynes and Nicky Maynard are no slouches.

And the arrival of Jamaica international raider Jamal Campbell-Ryce, signed from Barnsley earlier this week, means Bristol City now boast an athletic quartet to rival anything in the Championship.

"Nowadays, the game is all about pace," declared Johnson.

"You cannot afford to have an entire team full of Linford Christies because they'd be running forever with no-one to pass to.

"But a bit of pace in the right areas is very important, especially if you have players who can feed them the ball. We have those players at our club.

"When you play away from home, you have to be able to hit teams on the break with pace and the right ball played at the right time. Bringing Jamal in will help us do that."

Campbell-Ryce became a target for Johnson following a series of impressive displays for Barnsley against City in the Championship. His arrival at Ashton Gate on a two-and-a-half year contract will serve to appease those fans who have criticised the manager and team for not playing with width this season.

Johnson said: "Jamal is a technically gifted player who likes to run at and past people. Personally, I think we need that direct style in our team.

"He's a winger with a work-rate and they are a dying breed in the game these days. But he is also very quick and quite often shows defenders a clean pair of heels.

"I know that and so do our supporters, because we've seen him do it to our players in the past. He's a match-winning type of player and that's why I've brought him in."

City's manager views the new arrival as a replacement for Michael McIndoe, the left winger who left to join Coventry last summer.

He confirmed: "If I need to play him anywhere else, it will be because we have injuries. Jamal is naturally a wide player and that's where I think he is at his best.

"I think he's very good when one-on-one with a defender and I want to see him have space in those wide positions. In my opinion, he will produce assists for us if played on the flanks."

Campbell-Rice could make his debut in Tuesday's Championship showdown with Cardiff City at Ashton Gate - providing he can first prove his fitness.

Left out of Barnsley's starting line-up by Tykes boss Mark Robins since City won 3-2 at Oakwell in late October, the Londoner has been restricted to cameo roles from the bench.

Johnson yesterday ran the rule over his new acquisition in a practice match at the club's Failand training headquarters and revealed: "He's ready to hit the ground running, but we still have to assess whether or not he is ready for 90 minutes.

"He had an injury earlier in the season and dropped out of the Barnsley side and was unable to get back in when Mark Robins decided to go with a 4-3-3 formation and play without wingers.

"I think the time was right for him to move on and we've gained because of it."