Football Robins exploring possibility of loan deal for young midfielder Stokes

BRISTOL City are “in exchange” with other clubs over Josh Stokes, according to Gerhard Struber, with the Robins boss admitting it would be “perfect” for the midfielder to find more regular game-time while discussing the futures of the youngsters in his squad.

- Dan CARTER

Bristol City midfielder Josh Stokes

(Picture: Bristol City FC)

Stokes, who joined City from Aldershot Town in January 2024, is yet to make a Championship appearance for the Robins, having spent last season on loan in League One with Cambridge United. While he remained at Ashton Gate this summer, a fractured metatarsal has seen him miss the bulk of the campaign so far.

As a result, he 21-year-old's only competitive minutes under Struber have come in the Carabao Cup. While he has been named on the bench in recent games, he seemingly falls behind Scott Twine, Anis Mehmeti, and Yu Hirakawa in the attacking midfield pecking order.

Prior to his aforementioned metatarsal issue, Struber had not completely closed the door on the prospect of Stokes departing BS3 on loan again during the summer window. Ultimately, no such move came to fruition, but with his action limited in south Bristol, such a change could occur over the course of the coming month.

"We will see," the head coach said on the possibility of departures in January. "When some players would come inside and be not happy with game-time or something, my door in this direction is open, but we don't plan so big in this way.