Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber has called for increased investment to end the club's 46-year absence from the Premier League. The Austrian believes the Robins need funding at all levels to become realistic play-off contenders after slipping to seventh in the Championship table.

Struber acknowledged the optics of selling key players Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner to promotion rivals Ipswich and Wrexham were poor, with Bristol City now seven points off the top six. The 47-year-old said owner Steve Lansdown must balance business interests with sporting ambitions, but stressed the need for investment to retain stars like Ross McCrorie, Max Bird and Jason Knight.

The Robins face a crucial run of fixtures against Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion as they attempt to reignite their promotion push. Struber, who replaced Liam Manning last summer, admitted the play-offs remain a possibility but said his focus is on developing players and building momentum.