BRISTOL City's wantaway striker Steve Jones says he will take a pay cut to join Wycombe if the two clubs can thrash out a fee.

Jones has fallen out of favour at Ashton Gate since a reported bust-up at the club's Christmas party and City want to off-load him.

Wanderers' initial bid of £50,000 for the 30-year-old former West Ham and Charlton striker was rejected by Bristol but Jones and Wycombe are still hoping something can be sorted out.

Jones has got three and a half years left on his contract at Bristol and he wants City to pay him off to cushion the blow of earning less at Wycombe.

Jones said: 'I'm quite prepared to take a big cut in wages to join Wycombe. I don't want to stay at Bristol. But I'm on good money there and I'd be taking a massive pay cut to join Wycombe so I want a few quid off Bristol. I've got three years left on my contract, I haven't asked for a transfer, so it's down to them.'

Bristol are prepared to make a big loss on the player they bought from Charlton for £450,000 - but they are stalling over giving their expensive misfit a pay-off and want more from Wycombe. More talks are planned.

Wanderers' need for Jones took on greater urgency this week when it emerged top scorer Sean Devine will miss the start of the season.

The goal-grabber has missed the first week of pre-season training with an old knee injury.

He will see a specialist today to try and discover the full extent of the problem. But even if the diagnosis is good Sanchez reckons Devine will be too far behind to make the first game of the season.

He won't let his record signing play until he has got a full pre-season's training under his belt.

Sanchez said: 'When he's ready, he'll have to do all the work the others are doing now. I don't want him returning until he's done a full pre-season and built up his fitness, otherwise he'll keep breaking down.'

The same goes for playmaker Dave Carroll, who also looks set to miss the big kick-off at Stoke on August 12. He hasn't trained after picking up a groin injury.

Sanchez said: 'It's disappointing. But we've got to get on with it. I'd be surprised if either of them makes it for the first game.'

They join Paul Emblen, who definitely misses out as he continues his rehabilitation from a broken ankle.