Coppell expects Maynard stay

Maynard: No enquiries

Bristol City manager Steve Coppell believes star striker Nicky Maynard will be at the club next season.

The 23-year-old is thought to have attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs after scoring 20 goals in 40 league starts this term.

Coppell, however, is confident that the forward will not be tempted away from Ashton Gate over the summer.

"I've certainly not had any phone calls from managers asking me about Nicky and, as far as I know, neither has anyone else at the club," he told the Bristol Evening Post.

"Of course other clubs are going to be looking, because he scored 20 goals in the Championship and that is the landmark all good strikers strive for."

He added: "He is also at that age where bigger clubs are going to take an interest. But if there was anyone out there who was seriously considering signing him, I'm sure they would have made contact with us by now.

"You can never say never in football but the fact there has been no interest so far bodes well. I don't want him to leave and I would like to think he sees his future here with us."