Boss plays dumb in transfer update on Stoke City-linked winger
Bristol City boss Liam Manning is playing a straight bat to reports that Stoke City might try to make a late transfer window bid for versatile Mark Sykes.
It was claimed heading into the weekend that Stoke were keen on a January move for the 27-year-old, who can play across the pitch but is at his best on the right wing. He is out of contract in the summer - and Stoke manager Mark Robins would clearly like to add a wide man to his squad in the fight to climb away from the Championship danger zone.
But Manning, who used the player from the bench in a win at Blackburn on Saturday, insisted to BristolLive that he wasn't aware of any interest.
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He said: “No, I literally didn’t find out until I got my pre-media notes, which had it on there. I’ve not heard anything, no."
When asked if he would like to keep Sykes, Manning added: “Yes. He’s done well. For me, he’s done exactly what he’s needed to do recently. I thought he was excellent the other night. For me, he gets us the point with the quality on the crosses. For me, I haven’t heard of it, no.”
Stoke were also linked with Bristol City forward Fally Mayulu last week but have brought in Ali Al-Hamadi from Ipswich Town while Mayulu has instead joined Sturm Graz on loan until the summer.
Robins has signed Al-Hamadi and left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand so far this month while bringing back Nathan Lowe and Lewis Baker from loans at Walsall and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
When asked if he would like to do more business, he said at the weekend: "I would love to, yes. We are where we are and there is plenty of work going on, a lot of irons in the fire I would imagine and people who will fit the bill and hopefully we might be able to get one of those. Whether it's one or two remains to be seen but we still need some help. They are young players and they need that support because it's very clear because they need a breather at times. It's almost cruel sometimes because you keep playing them and you can see they're flagging a bit.
"I thought Junho was involved a lot more than he's been of late when he came on. I was pleased with that element because there's a top player in there and he's got to be involved in real significant moments in games which includes creating and scoring goals. I'm asking for a lot but I'm not asking for the world. I loved scoring goals when I played a million years ago and I hope people will love scoring goals for Stoke City because it's the best feeling in the world as far as I'm concerned."
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