Bristol City winger Jonny Smith is on trial at Rochdale according to a local journalist.
Gregor MacGregor, a reporter for Bristol Live, tweeted that Smith was at Spotland in response to a supporter asking about the identity of a mystery player pictured warming up before Wednesday night’s pre-season friendly against Huddersfield Town.
https://twitter.com/GeeMacGee/status/1152159901860487168?s=20
MacGregor had previously claimed the twenty-one-year-old was on trial at Hibs and scored for their under-23s in a recent friendly against Newcastle United, but it now looks like whatever interest Paul Heckingbottom had is now over and Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy is giving the forward the once over.
Smith spent last season on loan at Tranmere Rovers, making forty appearances across all competitions and scoring four goals in their successful League Two promotion season.
The 2017/18 campaign saw him loaned to AFC Fylde in the National League where he impressed, scoring ten times and contributing nine assists from forty-eight outings.
Another loan move looks likely for the pacey winger who signed a contract extension last summer which is set to expire in 2020, meaning this season is his last chance to convince Robins boss, Lee Johnson, he has a future at Ashton Gate.
Our View
Bristol City have a good relationship with Rochdale having lent them, Rory Holden, last season.
The winger was apparently only training at Hibs as a favour to Lee Johnson so perhaps not too much should be read into the apparent rejection by Hibs.
Smith can play on either flank, and he’s quick with good technical ability who has an eye for goal.
He would be an excellent signing for Rochdale giving them hard-working quality on the flanks.
