Trundle set for Bristol City talks

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson will meet with Lee Trundle after the weekend to discuss the striker's immediate future.

Loaned to Leeds United last month, Trundle is due to play his final game for the League One club against Millwall at Elland Road on Monday night.

But the Whites are thought to be keen to extend the 32-year-old forward's stay in Yorkshire and Johnson says he has an open mind on the matter.

City's boss will travel north on Monday to see Trundle in action and then meet with the player and his agent after the game. And providing Leeds manager Simon Grayson still wants the former Swansea man and Trundle is happy to stay, a further loan deal could be arranged. Johnson confirmed: "I'll be in Leeds to see the Millwall game in person on Monday night and nothing will be decided until then.

"Although we know how Lee has been doing up there, Leeds have not been in touch with us this week, so I'm not sure what they have in mind.

"At this moment in time and until they call me, it looks as though Lee will be coming back to us next week.

"Whether Leeds still want him or not, nothing will happen until I speak with the player."

Opportunities have been limited for Trundle, who has started only four Championship games for City this season and fallen behind Nicky Maynard, Dele Adebola, Stern John and Peter Styvar in the Ashton Gate pecking order.

Johnson agreed to the striker's request to go out on loan in order that he could regain match fitness and the £1m signing has so far made five appearances for promotion-chasing Leeds and scored one goal.

City's manager may well be prepared to sanction a further month on loan, given that Trundle can be recalled at 24 hours' notice.

He said: "We have competition for places up front at this moment in time and our strikers are scoring goals. But that could change quickly if there are injuries.

"In that situation, we would have the option of bringing Lee back at 24 hours' notice.

"If, for whatever reason, he returns to Bristol after Monday's game, then we have another player to go into the mix. Lee went to Leeds to get games under his belt and regain his match fitness and he's done that."

Meanwhile, Jamie McCombe is making encouraging progress following an operation to cure a pelvic problem.

City's 6ft 5in centre-back underwent surgery a fortnight ago, since when first-team physio Nick Dawes has been overseeing his rehabilitation.

McCombe, who last played in the FA Cup third-round replay defeat to Portsmouth on January 13, is expected to resume training next week.

Assistant manager Keith Millen revealed: "Jamie hopes to start doing some light work some time next week. We've had to allow time for the scar to heal and his recovery is going as planned."