Luke Freeman has been excluded from playing any part in Bristol City’s midday home clash with Cardiff City.

He has no known injury, and it it might suggest Robins’ boss is not 100 percent convinced his winger’s head is in the right place as Freeman prevaricates signing a new deal at Ashton Gate - or keeping his options open like joining QPR.

The story so far:

Freeman signs for City - eventually

After all, there is a chance he might be a League One player next season if in the catastrophe of all catastrophes, Hoops were relegated - although that is looking increasingly unlikely.

Bristol push their own cause before the window closes - sign for us or we need to sell you

Robins would demand commitment from Freeman for the rest of the season rather than worry if his mind is already elsewhere.

If he does leave in the summer, it means a player who cost Bristol £500,000 from Stevenage in 2014 walks for free.

Better take what money you can while it's on the table, might be the City mindset.

Rangers get a pre-contract agreement, but...

Freeman comes to them for nothing at the end of the season, or as he's about to sign, City offer Rs a cut-price deal and they get him now for the second half of the campaign.

Ian Holloway claims he has other fish to fry

This might bode well to hurry along a contract now or six months down the road.

"Yeah, I'm interested in him, but it's difficult when you're talking about someone else's player," the QPR manager said.

"There are a lot of players that tick my boxes, but if the club won't sell them then they're not available."

Freeman signs for no one

Chances are he can then take his pick of offers in June and July, and is freed, no pun intended, from worrying whether either City or Hoops get relegated.

Bristol might not like it, but there's not a lot they can do.

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