Bristol City head coach Liam Manning says wantaway striker Tommy Conway will continue to train away from the first team setup at Ashton Gate while his future remains up in the air.
Conway is the subject of firm offers from Hull City and Middlesbrough while Burnley are also thought to be keeping tabs on the situation, having made it clear he will not sign a new deal with the Robins.
Manning will not allow the 21-year-old striker to be around the first team group given his future seemingly lies elsewhere, and while talks with potential suitors continue, he will continue to train with the club’s youngsters.
Given the current plight of the striker, who bagged 12 goals in the Championship last term, he will not be involved when Bristol City travel to the MKM Stadium to kick off their respective league campaigns, with the Tigers still hopeful of striking a deal with both the Robins and Conway himself, though the Riverside Stadium looks his likely destination.
Manning says nothing is imminent in terms of a deal being agreed with either the Tigers, Boro or anyone else, but expects it to get tied up before the transfer deadline on August 30.
I had a lot of chats with Tommy last year on where I thought he was at, his situation, his future,” Manning told Bristol Live. “I spoke to him in the off-season where I thought the club made him a fantastic offer which he decided to decline. Then, it’s a decision. I haven’t fallen out with Tommy but anyone in the first-team changing room, anyone who’s training with us has to be all-in on the club and what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to achieve. If someone’s head is elsewhere then we can’t carry that ultimately.
“He’s come in and the club have looked after him and he’s trained properly but, like I said, he’s someone who doesn’t see his future at the club so it’s time for him to move on. [It’s] my decision in terms of him not training with us but I also think that it’s where football’s at. I don’t think that someone of Tommy’s potential and value, run it down and potentially lose him for nothing. I was quite clear with Tommy the middle of last season that, if you don’t sign, we’ll look to move you on because you do hold a value and what that does is allow us to invest in the squad.
“Nothing imminent. There’s been some talks between clubs which I don’t think is right to talk about until things are a bit more definitive but there’s been a level of interest.
“I think possibly in the next few weeks. I’m informed on everything and am a big part in the decision making. A lot of the calls are between agents and Brian or Tom at the club so I’m constantly kept in the loop but there’s so many bits and pieces, it’s hard to know what I need to know.
“I was totally honest with the group. I spoke with them about Tommy. I spoke with Tommy and then I spoke to the group afterwards and explained why. Anyone, players or staff, who isn’t all-in, for me, will only slow us down getting where we want to. I think that’s the big thing with players in general. If you’re honest and communicate well in terms of the decisions you make and why then it’s hard to counter it really.
“The players have been great. They understand it’s part of football, decisions that people make and it’s now about us forgetting about that and concentrating on us.”
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