Gary Johnson is adamant Lee Trundle still has a future at Ashton Gate.

Currently on loan at Leeds United, Bristol City's £1m striker has been the subject of mounting speculation, with reports linking him with a long-term move to Elland Road.

But City manager Johnson today sought to quash those rumours by insisting the 32-year-old forward remains a part of his plans.

Johnson said: "Leeds like him and would like to keep him for longer.

"But we can bring Lee back the week after next and that is what will probably happen. We haven't made a final decision yet, but he still has a part to play here."

Signed amid a media fanfare in July 2007, Trundle has become a firm favourite with City supporters. He overcame a slow start to emerge as City's hero in the play-offs last season, scoring a stunning goal in a dramatic semi-final second leg triumph over Crystal Palace at Ashton Gate in May.

But he fell out of favour at the start of this season, since when he has been in and out of the first team, starting only four Championship matches.

When Johnson agreed a one-month loan deal with Leeds on January 9 and Trundle left for Elland Road, many predicted the end of his stay.

But Trundle still has another 16 months on his contract and Johnson is eager to put the record straight.

He explained: "There is always going to be speculation when a player like Lee Trundle goes out on loan.

"I said it at the time and I'll say it again now - we wanted to give him a month of regular games, which we've done, and we'll have a look at him when the time comes around.

"There is an option of going another month and having the right of immediate recall, or they could take him until the end of the season. That latter option is the least likely one."

Johnson currently has a surfeit of strikers at his disposal, having signed Stern John from Southampton on loan until the end of the season and recruited Peter Styval from Slovakian club MSK Zilina during the January transfer window.

Nicky Maynard and Dele Adebola are currently Johnson's first-choice forwards, while youngster John Akinde remains in the wings. Clearly, if Trundle returns on February 8, he will face a fight get a look in.

Johnson said: "It's good that Lee is getting the games he's getting and doing well. He's enjoying his football and that's what he needs to do.

"We've watched every game he's played (for Leeds) and we know exactly where he is. He's done okay and they like him up there. He scored a good goal at Brighton recently and produced a clever bit of skill to make a goal for Jermaine Beckford last week.

"Had we lost the last three games, people would have been moaning at me and asking what was I doing with my strikers. But I always make decisions for the right reasons and I can sleep at night."

Meanwhile, Johnson thinks it is unlikely any more players will be leaving before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Several clubs have enquired about the availability of midfielder David Noble, but the injury which has sidelined Marvin Elliott for six weeks means the manager is unlikely to sanction even a short-term move for the former West Ham man.

He said: "I don't think there will be any more players going out, but you can never be totally sure. Sometimes clubs panic and come in for someone at the last minute,but I'm hoping to keep hold of the squad I already have at this moment in time.

"I'm not going to mention any names, but you cannot stand in the way of those players who are not in your plans.

"But the squad is light in numbers at the moment and everyone is going to play a part. Even those who are not making the bench could still come back in.

"That's why we have to keep them fit and arrange reserve games to ensure they stay match fit. We have a lot of games in a short space of time and it's going to be all hands on deck.

"Some of those players who are not getting in could soon find themselves on the bench. We give them all an opportunity here – it's up to them to take it when it comes along."