Lee Johnson is on the lookout for forward options as Bristol City may lose Kodjia and Abraham to international call-ups.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson is keen to bring in striker options before the close of the transfer window to combat the possibility of losing centre forwards Jonathan Kodjia and Tammy Abraham to international call-ups, the Bristol Post has reported.

Both players are expected to miss games throughout the Championship season, with Kodjia the biggest threat having recently broken in to the Ivory Coast national squad, having featured in friendlies against Hungary and Gabon.

While Kodjia could be missing throughout January and February should the Ivory Coast go on to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, as anticipated, Abraham too could be missing for periods due to call-ups with England under-19s, following performances at the recent UEFA Championships in Germany.

The loss of last season’s 20-goal top scorer, Kodjia, is particularly worrying for Johnson, and with only 12 days left of the current transfer window, the Bristol City manager will be looking to make additions within that time, with a shortlist of targets being drawn up by Johnson and chief operating officer Mark Ashton.

Bristol City’s Johnathan Kodija scores their first goal

Johnson said: “We’re active and we’re out there seeing what we can do. I’m happy with the squad I’ve got, but I’m a little bit worried about the potential for international call-ups.

“It’s sod’s law that they will go away and come back either tired or with a little knock or a niggle. They are generally your better players and you could be in trouble without them.”

He added: “We have a list of targets and people we think would fit our particular model, but we could also come up with a random one that goes completely against all of that. There is scope for anything, for whatever is right for the equilibrium of the team at the moment. If we can get it, then great, if not, then I’m happy with the business we’ve already done.”

But having already added Lee Tomlin, Adam Matthews, Callum O’Dowda, Gary O’Neil, Josh Brownhill and Hordur Magnusson to the ranks at Ashton Gate, the need for forward options still remains key to a successful Championship season after finishing 18th last season.

Norwich’s Cameron Jerome and Bristol City’s Hordur Magnusson in action

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