Basso Pushes Gerken Out

Bristol City keeper Dean Gerken faces a battle on his hands for the number one jersey once he regains full fitness following illness.

Gerken has made an impressive start to his career at Ashton Gate before being struck by the bug which has swept the camp, missing three games since.

Former number one and cult-hero Adriano Basso was controversially selected to take his place, despite still wanting to leave BS3.

But with Gerken set to be fully fit again in the next week to 10 days, manager Gary Johnson has hinted the Brazilian may retain his place in between the sticks, regardless of the ex-Colchester man's form.

"He comes back as competition. What we have got is three good Championship goalkeepers and what we need to do is get them all fit and worry about that then," Johnson told the Bristol Evening Post.

"Dean should be fit pretty soon. He is probably a week away and then he comes back into the fray. He certainly comes back into competition in a week's time."

Basso remains on the transfer-list but clearly nobody rates him enough as City have yet to receive a single enquiry for the South American.

Johnson is still keen to tie the keeper down to a new deal but Basso remains reluctant to sign.

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