BRISTOL City have expressed an interest in Chelsea and England Under-21 left-back Ryan Bertrand.

Robins manager Steve Coppell has talked openly of the need to recruit left-sided players to redress what he sees as an imbalance in the squad he inherited from former boss Gary Johnson.

City chairman Steve Lansdown has promised to fund new recruits and rising star Bertrand features on a list of potential signings identified by Coppell.

Informal discussions have already taken place between City and Chelsea and talks are expected to continue in the run-up to the new season.

Signing a left-back remains a priority for Coppell, who is eager to provide competition for Scotland international Jamie McAllister.

And Bertrand, pictured right, fits the bill. An orthodox winger when launching his career with Gillingham, the 20-year-old Londoner has been converted into a fast-raiding wing-back since joining Chelsea in 2006. Hailed as the 'next Ashley Cole' in some quarters, Bertrand represented England at Under-17 and Under-19 level before receiving a surprise call-up from Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce ahead of last summer's European Championships.

Although he failed to make the squad to contest the finals in Sweden, Bertrand started as first-choice left-back in an Under-21 international against Portugal at Wembley last November and is expected to be involved when England's youngsters take on Uzbekistan in a friendly at Ashton Gate on August 10. Bertrand may still be three weeks shy of his 21st birthday, but he already boasts considerable Championship experience, having enjoyed successful loan spells at Norwich City and Reading.

Behind England star Cole, Portuguese international Paulo Ferreira and the Russian, Yuri Zhirkov, in the Stamford Bridge pecking order, Bertrand has yet to make a senior appearance for the Premier League champions and FA Cup holders and has, instead, been forced to gain experience elsewhere.

He made 55 starts for Norwich during two spells at Carrow Road between 2008-09 and was a virtual ever-present for Reading in the Championship last season.

Highly-rated by Chelsea, Bertrand is still under contract at Stamford Bridge and, should he be made available to City, it will most likely be as a loan signing.

A fan of attack-minded full-backs, Coppell worked successfully with Nicky Shorey and Liam Rosenior during his last season in charge of Reading in 2008-09. Blessed with natural pace and a good engine, Bertrand is forged from the same mould.

Coppell has already set about strengthening his squad, recruiting winger Albert Adomah, from Barnet, and midfielder-cum-central defender Kalifa Cisse, from Reading, and he is planning at least a couple more forays into the transfer market before the window closes at the end of August.

Centre-back Jamie McCombe has already left to join Huddersfield Town and Scottish international Paul Hartley could soon be on his way back to Hearts as Coppell frees up additional cash to invest in new signings.

Hartley and his agent are continuing to stage talks with Hearts boss Jim Jefferies and the 33-year-old appears certain to leave Ashton Gate a year after arriving from Celtic.

Coppell has decided not to offer Barnet striker John O'Flynn a contract.

The 28-year-old Irishman featured in City's pre-season games in Sweden last week, but failed to make an impression.

Meanwhile, Marvin Elliott has overcome a groin strain and is named in a 17-man squad for tonight's friendly at Torquay.

Bristol City (from): Gerken, Henderson, Nyatanga, Orr, Fontaine, McAllister, Skuse, Cisse, Edwards, Williams, Elliot, Adomah, Johnson, Campbell-Ryce, Jackson, Clarkson, Akinde.