McManus returns to City

Bristol City have confirmed the signing of Middlesbrough defender Stephen McManus on an emergency loan deal.

The former Scotland international had a brief spell at Ashton Gate last season and has now returned to the club for the next 12 weeks to help them through their current injury crisis. McManus has played just once for Boro this term and City boss Derek McInnes says the 30-year-old is relishing the opportunity of playing first-team football. "Last season I felt he came in and gave us a real lift; hopefully he can do something similar this time around," McInnes said. "Of course his loan spell was curtailed early last time and I think he feels he has unfinished business here. He was desperate to come back and now we have him for the next three months."