Liam Manning, the Bristol City head coach, has expressed his desire to retain the services of Bermuda striker Nahki Wells beyond this season.

Wells, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season with discussions ongoing between his agent and the club behind the scenes at Ashton Gate.

“I would keep him,” Manning told reporters during the post-match press conference after Wells had scored his team’s second goal in a 2-1 home win against Norwich City last Friday.

"There is no update on the contractual thing. We've been in touch with his agent and Brian [Tinnion, the City technical director] is speaking with the agent. That's still ongoing behind the scenes, so there's no news on that one.“

Wells enhanced his chances of being offered a new deal by scoring his eighth league goal of the season against Norwich on his return to Manning’s starting line-up after a short spell on the sidelines with a groin strain.

“He's had a fantastic season when you look at his contribution and what he brings to the group,” Wells said.

“He's the only one we've got over the age of 30, which is important as well. ”He’s hugely instrumental in some of the stuff behind the scenes, keeping people on track, focused, holding people accountable, the personality he brings and the standard he sets.

“You only have to look at his physical condition to see how well he looks after himself. I'm delighted he got the goal tonight and, knowing him as well as I do, I know how tough he is on himself and still how hungry he is to perform and deliver. He’ll be frustrated not to get the second one [a close-range follow-up].

“Ultimately, though, he stepped in at a key moment tonight and delivered when we needed him.“

Tinnion, who made more than 450 appearances for City, including a spell as player-manager, recently revealed that talks over a potential extension for Wells will commence once the budget for the 2025-26 campaign is etched in stone.

City are seventh in the league standings, level on points with sixth-place West Bromwich Albion, who occupy the final play-off spot on goal difference.

Wells recently confirmed that he will not be available for Bermuda’s Gold Cup play-off games against Honduras as he focuses on his club future.