Robins set to turn to Coppell

Bristol City have called a press conference for Thursday morning where they are expected to announce Steve Coppell as their new manager.

Speculation has been rife all week that the Robins have lined up the former Reading manager to replace Gary Johnson, who left the club after five years in charge in March. An announcement was delayed earlier in the week and City chairman Steve Lansdown instead chose to confirm that caretaker manager Keith Millen, who himself has been in the running for the post, would stay in charge for the remaining two games of the season.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lansdown said: "Keith will remain in charge for the remainder of the season. He has done an excellent job so far and therefore we would like him to see out the season for the club. The club continues to work towards an appointment."

But despite Millen suffering just one defeat in seven games during his spell in charge at Ashton Gate, Lansdown is thought to have identified Coppell as his number one target.

The 54-year-old former England international has been out of work since resigning from his post at the Madejski Stadium after the Royals' failure to progress through last season's Coca-Cola Championship play-offs.