Maynard nears new contract agreement

Nicky Maynard is on the verge of signing a new two-year contract to remain at Ashton Gate, Vital Bristol City understands.

The 24-year-old has been the subject of mounting transfer speculation ever since returning from a seven month lay-off with a serious knee injury in March.

But City opened negotiations with Maynard ten days ago and boss Keith Millen remains confident the former Crewe striker will put pen-to-paper in the coming weeks.

“We have had more conversations with Nicky and his agent and they have all been positive,” Millen told the Bristol Evening Post.

“Nicky definitely wants to stay and be part of what I’m trying to build here and, hopefully, we can tie things up in the next week or so.

“It’s difficult to put a time scale on these things, because everything has to be right. They have to be happy and we have to be happy, but the sooner it is done, the quicker we can move on and start planning for next season.”

Millen also moved to dispell any newspaper rumours that a move may be imminent by insisting the club have yet to receive a single enquiry.

“We have not had anyone on the phone making enquiries about Nicky, which is something I’m pleased about,” added Millen.

“There is always going to be speculation, but Nicky being suspended for the last three games has taken him out of the limelight a little bit and that has enabled him to focus on where he wants to be next season.”