Bristol City boss Dean Holden has refused to close the door on adding to his squad before the deadline for domestic transfers. 

Speaking to the Bristol Post in a press conference ahead of the trip to Barnsley on Saturday, the Robins head coach suggested that he doesn't expect anything to happen but that the club need "to be mindful just in case".

The deadline for EFL clubs to complete domestic transfers is Friday at 5pm and following Holden's recent claims, we've outlined two realistic signings that Championship leaders should make before then...

Nathaniel Phillips

Tomas Kalas appears to have returned to fitness but with Nathan Baker out until Christmas, City remain a few injuries away from a real issue at centre-back – particularly as Holden favours a 3-5-2.

The Robins have been linked with a loan move for Phillips already this summer and landing the Liverpool defender would give them the cover they need in central defence.

Both Kalas and Baker have had issues with staying fit in recent years, as has Fulham loanee Alfie Mawson, so it would make a lot of sense for the South West club to add one more option at the back.

Fixtures look set to come thick and fast this season, so bringing in a hungry Premier League loanee to compete for one of their three centre-back slots seems like a smart bit of business and should aid their top-six hopes.

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Michael Hector

Another Premier League centre-back that could be on the move, Hector has been linked with a temporary move away from Fulham after the recent arrivals of Tosin Adarabioyo and Joachim Andersen.

The 28-year-old has proven his quality at Championship level in recent years and if the Robins are looking to add some more cover in defence then signing the German on loan could be a smart move.

He was instrumental in helping Fulham secure promotion last season and won Sheffield Wednesday's player of the year award in 2018/19.

When all Holden's current centre-back options are fit, City look to have some quality players in the position but a few injuries could leave them in a sticky situation.

The arrival of Hector would ease any worries they may have.