ALL the talk at Ashton Gate this week has centred on City defender Matthew Hill, who looks set to leave the club any day now.

The 23-year-old, who can play in the centre of defence or at right-back, has been involved in talks with Championship sides Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End this week, with both teams alternating as the favourites for his signature as the saga has dragged on.

Originally, City had accepted a #100,000 bid from QPR for Hill, before Preston entered the proceedings with a bid of their own which was also accepted. With the young defender discussing personal terms with the Lancashire side on Wednesday, QPR then re-emerged as the favourites yesterday, and at the time of going to press Hill was about to commence talks with the Loftus Road outfit following an improved offer.

If, as expected, Hill does join QPR, he will link up with thrilling former City midfielder Aaron Brown, who signed non-contract terms for the club last year, not to mention former Bristol Rovers star Ian Holloway, who has enjoyed a fantastic couple of years as QPR's inspirational manager.

Hill's imminent departure is not good news for City, who already have defensive problems ahead of Monday night's trip to high-flying Tranmere Rovers. Tony Butler's horrific facial injury sustained in the recent match against Peterborough United has left him sidelined for several weeks, and without Hill the team will be missing two of their regular defenders.

Manager Brian Tinnion is said to be swiftly searching for a replacement, with a loan signing muted as a strong possibility. Sources in Scotland, meanwhile, have suggested that City are considering a move for Northern Ireland international Colin Murdock, who has been frozen out at Hibernian this season.

The good news for City is that Monday's clash with Brian Little's team is to be shown live on Sky Sports, a move which should generate extra funds for Tinnion to rebuild his backline. Other team news involves forgotten man Marc Goodfellow, who is targeting a return to City's first team following a successful loan spell at Swansea City, where he impressed on the left side of midfield.

Whatever the team, City will be looking to improve upon their last outing, Monday's disappointing 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town, which saw the team go 2-0 down early in the game before a close range Leroy Lita strike and a highly fortuitous Nathan Clarke own goal in the last minute saved the Reds from what looked like a definite defeat.