Bristol City finished the Championship season in 17th place, just three points above the relegation zone.

Lee Johnson's side were facing a relegation battle, but six wins from the final 10 games of the season ensured that Bristol City would be playing Championship football again next season.

With the Southwest outfit bringing in a whole host of new players last summer and the club's owners ploughing money into developing their Ashton Gate home, it's fair to say that everyone connected with the club will be hoping for a better season next time around.

Tammy Abraham, the club's top scorer, will return to parent club Chelsea after his loan spell ends, so the club will be looking this summer to fill the void left by him, and give themselves every opportunity next season to push on up the Championship table.

Johnson may not have to look outside of the football club though to fill the void, as the club have a lot of good talent in their academy.

The U23's last week beat Barnet 2-1 to lift the Central League Cup (South), thanks to goals from George Dowling and George Nurse, and after their success ,the players will be looking to impress Lee Johnson throughout pre-season, with a hope of getting in his first team squad for next season.

Here are TWO Bristol City wonderkids who'll be looking to impress Lee Johnson in pre-season....

 

George Dowling

The Bristol-born midfielder, and Robins supporter, signed his first professional contract with the club back in 2015 and made his debut for the first team in 2016, coming off the bench in the 4-0 victory over Huddersfield Town.

After spending time out on loan at Weston-Super-Mare and scoring a goal in the U23's cup final, Dowling will be hoping to catch the eye of Johnson and force his way into first-team contention.

 

Diego De Girolamo

Having started his professional career at Sheffield United, De Girolamo made the move to Bristol City in July 2016.

Having spent time out on loan at Cheltenham Town this season, where he managed to score a hat trick in the EFL Trophy tie against Leicester City Under-23s, De Girolamo will be hoping that the first team experience clubbed together with the goals he scored at Cheltenham will be enough to force his way into the first team next season.

Bristol City fans – would you like to see George Dowling and Diego De Girolamo in your first team squad next season? Let us know below!