Derek McInnes insists transfer-listed striker Nicky Maynard will be part of his plans for tomorrow's npower Championship game against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

The subject of an unofficial £2m bid from Wigan Athletic earlier this week, Maynard's future is uncertain as the January transfer window enters its final few days.

He is refusing to sign a new deal at Ashton Gate, City's board of directors are keen to cash in on one of their biggest assets before Tuesday's transfer deadline and Wigan's offer remains on the table.

But despite continuing uncertainty over the striker's future, City manager McInnes says he has no plans to omit Maynard from the squad.

In fact, the Scot revealed Maynard has responded well to being left out of the starting line-up for last Saturday's crucial relegation battle against Doncaster Rovers.

He said: "Nicky is training with us and, until I'm told otherwise, he will be a part of my plans for the weekend.

"I've not considered his position. He has been training every day, he has trained well and he has reacted, like all good players do, the right way to being left out last week.

"He's got the bit between his teeth and has shown a willingness to train well this week, which is pleasing. So long as Nicky is still a Bristol City player, he will be considered.

"I look for commitment from everybody and I'm sure that commitment will be there from Nicky."

Despite Wigan's attempts to distance themselves from Maynard in the last 48 hours, McInnes confirmed the striker had spoken to Latics boss Roberto Martinez earlier this week.

He said: "The situation was that our club gave permission for Nicky to speak to Wigan at the start of this week. Roberto Martinez called me up to tell me about his interest and then followed it up with a conversation with Nicky on Monday.

"Nicky has spoken to him and I have not heard anything since. As far as I'm led to believe, there is no update on that situation.

"If anything is to develop in the next few days, it will be down to Wigan, our owner and board of directors and Nicky to sort out."

Meanwhile, McInnes will continue to prepare his team for tomorrow's game against play-off chasing Reading, one of only two Championship fixtures on FA Cup fourth round weekend.

McInnes admitted: "This is an opportunity for us to build on a very important win against Doncaster and move ourselves a few places up the table.

"It's just another three points at the end of the day, but playing a few days before most of the others gives us a chance to improve our position and put more distance between ourselves and the bottom three.

"Reading are a very good team, especially at home, but we are not daunted by the prospect of going there. We have prepared well and I'm sure we will be tough opposition for them."

Midfielder Marvin Elliott is again likely to miss out because of his hamstring strain.