BRISTOL City manager Steve Coppell is confident the club will resist pressure to sell star striker Nicky Maynard.

Scorer of 20 Championship goals last season, City's 23-year-old record signing has become a marketable asset and has already been linked with Premier League sides Wolves and West Brom.

But Coppell, who took up his post at Ashton Gate earlier this week, instantly dismissed media speculation and predicted Maynard would still be a City player at the start of next season.

Despite reports linking Maynard with a possible move to the top flight, City have yet to receive a single offer for the forward they signed from Crewe Alexandra for £2.25 million in July 2008. And Coppell believes any Premier League managers contemplating a bid for Maynard would already have made their move.

He revealed: "I've certainly not had any phone calls from managers asking me about Nicky and, as far as I know, neither has anyone else at the club.

"Of course other clubs are going to be looking, because he scored 20 goals in the Championship and that is the landmark all good strikers strive for.

"He is also at that age where bigger clubs are going to take an interest. But if there was anyone out there who was seriously considering signing him, I'm sure they would have made contact with us by now.

"You can never say never in football, but the fact there has been no interest so far bodes well. I don't want him to leave and I would like to think he sees his future here with us."

Although City chairman Steve Lansdown could be tempted by any offer in excess of £5m, Coppell insisted the club is not in a position where it has to cash in on its assets.

He said: "We certainly don't have to sell to balance the books or to help cash flow. The chairman insulates us against that.

"I'm looking to build on very solid foundations and I want to keep my best players. Nicky is a goalscorer and, as such, is an integral part of my planning for next season."

Maynard has stated his desire to remain at Ashton Gate and help City win promotion to the top flight, but it remains to be seen whether a firm offer from a Premier League club would test his resolve.

Coppell acknowledged: "We don't have to sell, but we could still be up against it if a big club comes in with an offer and gets inside Nicky's head.

"When that scenario occurs, it can sometimes be like waiting for the inevitable to happen."

Coppell believes Maynard's best interests will be served by continuing his football education in the Championship rather than trying his luck in the Premier League.

He warned: "Nicky can become part of a Premiership squad and, all of a sudden, find himself involved in a rotation system. He could find that his opportunities are limited and that he only plays in the cup competitions. That is not going to improve any player.

"It is fairly obvious that, if he is fit, Nicky is going to be playing in the first team here. If he stays here and plays regularly, he is going to further enhance his reputation. If he wants Premier League football, what better way to achieve it than by helping Bristol City win promotion?"