Steve Brooker scored five goals on loan at Cheltenham (Getty)

Cheltenham Town have been knocked back in their attempt to take Steve Brooker on loan, but the player could be available before the season starts.

The Bristol City striker spent two months at Whaddon Road last season.

"I wouldn't have thought he'll be going anywhere before August 9th but you can never say never," City manager Gary Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We want him part of our squad, and he's come back quite fit so until the games start we won't know how he is."

Johnson revealed that Cheltenham are not the only club to have enquired about the former Port Vale and Watford striker.

"There's a lot of interest in Steve Brooker as we loaned him out last year," said the City boss, "but we did that to get his match fitness back, so he could return to us.

"It's not up in the air as such because he's part of our squad, and certainly in training he's looking quite sharp."