STEVE Lansdown is convinced Bristol City's summer signings will remain loyal despite Steve Coppell's shock departure.

Coppell recruited six players during his brief tenure, persuading England goalkeeper David James, defenders Nicky Hunt and Damion Stewart, midfield powerhouse Kalifa Cisse and forwards Sam Vokes and Albert Adomah to buy into City's Premier League dream.

In each case, Coppell's presence had a major bearing on the players' decision to move to Ashton Gate. The 55-year-old Liverpudlian's sudden exit and Keith Millen's installation as new manager gave rise to fears that the newcomers might become disenchanted.

Chairman Lansdown was sufficiently concerned to fly in from his Channel Island home in Guernsey to address the players in their hotel ahead of last Saturday's npower Championship fixture at Doncaster. And having spoken with the squad and gauged their response to the recent upheaval, the millionaire businessman insists the new recruits are behind Millen and fully committed to the club.

"They were not signing for Steve Coppell, they were signing for Bristol City Football Club," said Lansdown. "These players came to the club for the same reason Steve Coppell did.

"They saw a well-run and ambitious club that wants to better itself and they bought into that.

"Footballers are resilient people and they are used to this kind of thing. I think we saw that at Doncaster at the weekend. They were shocked, but they took it in their stride and got back on with the job.

"I said to them 'the king is dead, long live the king.' The king is now Keith Millen and they need to all get behind him, just like everyone else will."

Aware that Coppell's unexpected exit would come as a particular disappointment to those who had signed for him, Lansdown sought to reassure the players at a hastily-arranged meeting in south Yorkshire.

He said: "I wanted to have a quick few words with the players and that's why I came over the night before the Doncaster game.

"I thought it would help if I made myself available to answer any questions. I didn't think I'd have too many, because they already understood the situation and were focused on the game.

"We wanted a performance out of them and to see that they had pride in the shirt and I think they showed that.

"The fans who travelled to Doncaster deserved something to get enthusiastic about and, although we didn't win the match, I think they were happy with the commitment they saw."

Meanwhile, Lansdown is promising Millen the same support he offered Coppell in the transfer market and City's new manager is striving to complete a further two signings ahead of Saturday's home game against Barnsley.

Still without the services of Vokes, Maynard and Danny Haynes, Millen's priority is to recruit a striker to support David Clarkson and Adomah.

Currently working his way down a long list of potential targets, the Londoner is also in the market for a left-sided player.