Bristol City boss Lee Johnson has revealed that the division the Robins are playing in next term and the finances the chairman makes available to him will be key factors in the club's summer transfer strategy. 

More than two months after the EFL season was delayed, City returned to training yesterday with the Championship reportedly optimistic about restarting in June.

Johnson's men are seventh in the table as things stand, just one point outside the top six, and will be determined to close that gap in the nine games remaining, which would see them qualify for the play-offs for the first time in more than a decade.

Loan players such as Benik Afobe, Markus Henriksen, and Pedro Pereira are likely to play a part in that promotion push but their long-term future appears more uncertain.

As does how the transfer market will look this summer and, speaking to The Bristol Post, Johnson discussed the impact of the current situation on the Robins' strategy.

He said: "It’s naturally going to be affected, you’ve got to stay fluid with it, almost spin all the plates – not stringing players along – but we don’t know what division we’ll be in, first and foremost.

"We think we’ve got a good group of players, with nine games to go, and everybody fully fit, it gives us a good chance in a number of games.

“And if we win enough games, get in the play-offs and then from that point, it’s up to us to perform on a semi-final and final-type basis.

“First and foremost, depending on what division we’re in, because that adjusts, (it’s then) depending on the finances that go with it.

“Then it’s about sitting down and talking with the owner, like we always do, seeing what he wants to do for that particular season and how he’s willing to fund it and we’ll adjust off the back of it.

“It’s no secret we’ve made big sales in the past to fund seasons and generally that’s been successful in terms of still getting closer to where we want to be.

“We’re seventh, which is higher than where we’ve been before but this season we want to make sure we go that extra mile and get into the play-offs.”

Last summer was a busy window for the Robins, bringing in more than 10 players and seeing a similar number depart (including loans).

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The Verdict

Johnson's comments make a lot of sense ahead of a transfer window that could look different following the delay to football around the world.

City's transfer strategy over the past few years has been to look for value – buying cheap and selling for profit – so it will be interesting to see how they're impacted by the current situation in world football.

Clearly, the Robins boss remains confident that his side can secure a place in the play-offs and potentially promotion to the Premier League.