Manager Gary Johnson has set his sights on "three or four players" to help turn Bristol City into play-off contenders.

The Robins, who reached the play-off final last season, have fallen short this term and Johnson has set a top-six place as minimum for the next campaign.

"We'll improve where we can and we will definitely improve. We're confident of that," Johnson told BBC Points West.

"It will take three or four players to come in at the top end, and probably five or six to drop out at the bottom."

City have won just one of their last 10 games and slipped off the play-off pace, but Johnson is keen to make sure there is no repeat next season by bringing in proven quality.

He added: "There are Championship players here and there are some that fell a little bit short.

"We need to improve the team and make sure we get into at least the play-off spots. That's the thinking.

"You have to bring in quality players because our team has still got itself to the top 10 in the Championship.

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"But there's still a big gap between the Championship and the Premier League, and when you're bringing players down from the Premier League, some of them are on big money."

Johnson has started his summer dealings by signing up the academy quartet of midfielder Ashley Kington, striker Marlon Jackson, winger Rob Stambolziev and defender Joe Edwards on professional deals.

"We're pleased with those four and we think they've got the potential to become Championship players," said Johnson.

"They've had lots of games in the reserves, have already been training with us for two or three months and they look the part."

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