It's one step forward and two steps back for Bristol City at the moment.

Nigel Pearson's side battled to an impressive victory against Stoke City last Wednesday before slipping to a dismal defeat at the hands of Sheffield United on Sunday.

The progress that looked like it was being made early on in the 2021/22 campaign has been much harder to see in recent weeks and you feel fans will be nervously looking at the seven-point cushion over the relegation zone.

City CEO Richard Gould suggested last month that the club would look to do some business in the January window and with that in mind, we've outlined the late Robins transfer talking points...

Reinforcements needed in the final third? 

The South West club didn't replace Famara Diedhiou in the summer and they do look at least one striker short, particularly with Nahki Wells struggling for form at the moment.

If new signings come in next month, you feel adding more firepower in the final third – either a new forward or some more options on the wing – should be top of Pearson's list of priorities.

All eyes on the loan market? 

City have had great success with some of their loan signings in the past – think Tammy Abraham – and it was a surprise not to see them look to strengthen their squad that way in the summer window.

Clearly, Pearson could do with some reinforcements and looking to the loan market could be a good way of getting some quality players in without having to spend too much.

Kasey Palmer among those under threat? 

The Robins boss has spoken in recent weeks about who is and who isn't on the bus at Ashton Gate while (via the Bristol Post) he's hinted at potential January departures as "certain individuals aren’t onside" and he's prepared to "do everything [he] can to get rid of them".

We don't know exactly who those individuals are but the consistent omissions of Kasey Palmer from matchday squads in recent weeks suggests he could be one of the players under threat.

It's going to be interesting to see whether the action taken in January is as dramatic as promised.