TOMMY MOONEY is high on Bristol City's 'wanted' list and, although the striker has yet to receive a formal approach from the Ashton Gate outift, the appointment of Keith Millen as the new assistant manager at Ashton Gate will do nothing to ease fears over the player's County Ground exit.

The pair were colleagues and good friends during a spell at Watford together and the Evening Advertiser understands that Mooney is seen by Millen as the man who can provide the 'missing' goals for last season's beaten play-off finalists.

If Lee Peacock declines the offer of a new deal at City, as seems likely, the odds would strongly favour a move for Town's 20-goal forward.

Mooney, speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, is anxious to avoid further fanning the flames of speculation being whipped up in Wiltshire and in sections of the national press.

He said: "I don't feel it's appropriate to comment about speculation linking me to other clubs.

"I know Bristol City has been mentioned but that isn't something that has been generated by me or my agent.

"It's come from somewhere else. Some players do use the media in that way but not me.

"I think it's disrespectful to be honest.''

Mooney has made it clear that he is not prepared to wait indefinitely for a fresh contract offer from Town and should a new deal not be forthcoming, a switch to Ashton Gate would fit his two criteria when assessing a move namely prospects and how far the club is from his Midlands base. His friendship with Millen could also prove a factor.

However, Mooney is hoping a conversation with boss Andy King in the next few days will finally clear up whether his future lies in

Wiltshire or not.

He said: "I've had a message from the gaffer and he said he's going to ring me at the weekend when he gets back from his break. We'll see where we go from there.

"I can't really say too much more than that at this stage. That is the situation as it stands. As I've said, there is other interest and I can't wait indefinitely.''

Mooney is anxious to keep Town fans in the picture as much as possible, such is his fondness for those who voted him player of the season for 2003-4.

He said: "If it turned out that I did leave, I wouldn't want it being a case that people thought I didn't care and that I was simply waiting for the highest bidder to come in. That honestly isn't the case.''

The club have made it clear that Mooney has been offered a further year on the terms of his existing deal. The striker is looking for a fresh contract.

Whether Mooney is a Town player or not next season, supporters appear to be looking forward to the new campaign. Season ticket sales are up by 43 per cent on this time last year with around 2,600 snapped up so far.

Chief executive Mark Devlin said: "We are obviously very pleased with the response we've had from supporters. We went ever so close to the play-off final last year and hopefully the sales demonstrate that there is a sense of optimism among fans about the club.

"To use an example, we sold four season tickets on June 7 last year. We sold more than 140 on June 7 this year.''