Last Updated: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:10
Gary Johnson hopes Adriano Basso wakes up and signs the new contract still on the table for him at Ashton Gate.
The 34-year-old Brazilian has been sat on the bench for most of the season, having made only four Championship appearances, but intends to leave on a free in the summer and aims to play Premier League football.
The City boss has resisted calls from fans to drop Basso from the substitute's bench in favour of Stephen henderson and says he respects the keeper's wishes but hopes for a u-turn.
Johnson told the Bristol Evening Post: "I'm hoping that Adriano will wake up one morning, ask to see me and say 'where's that new contract ?'.
"We want him to know he is still wanted. Then if the penny finally drops and he realises no-one in the Premier League is interested, we could still have a very good goalkeeper on our hands.
"We already have two good goalkeepers in Dean Gerken and Stephen Henderson, but I'd like Basso to stay as well.
"We respect his views. Adriano knows that, at his age, he probably has one last opportunity to play at the top level, and we understand where he is coming from. He believes that there will be a Premier League club that wants him come the end of the season.
"I believe his best chance of playing at the top level is to stay put and that's where we disagree."