NICKY Maynard, Bristol City’s most potent weapon, could miss the Championship opening day fixture against Ipswich Town.

That is the good news. On the other side of the coin, the 24-year-old is set to become the subject of a fourth and final bid from big-spending Leicester City.

Foxes boss Sven Goran Eriksson wants to take his summer spending beyond the �10 million mark and secure one of the Championship’s top strikers before this Saturday’s showcase friendly against Real Madrid at the King Power Stadium.

After having three previous offers turned down, the latest believed to be �4.75 million after add-ons, the former England boss is set to increase the bid, and tempt Bristol City with 21-year-old forward Martyn Waghorn in a cash-plus-player deal.

Maynard, who would be expected to line up against Town on Saturday week alongside former Blues striker Jon Stead, has just one year remaining on his contract at Ashton Gate and has been stalling on a new contract.