"I know for a fact" - Exclusive: David Prutton makes claim on Bristol City duo before dropping "watch this space" transfer message | OneFootball

The duo have been key in the Robins' unexpected promotion bid

David Prutton has praised Anis Mehmeti and Jason Knight's impact on Bristol City's promotion bid, but has told supporters to "watch this space" when it comes to potential transfer interest.

The Robins are preparing for their first play-off campaign since 2008, when they were defeated 1-0 by Hull City in the final at Wembley Stadium. Now, with it being over 40 years since the club last enjoyed a taste of top-flight football, Liam Manning's men are heading into two semi-finals with Sheffield United, beginning with the first leg at Ashton Gate on Thursday night.

City's form heading into the post-season lottery has been slightly chequered, like all of their top-six counterparts in the Blades, Sunderland and Coventry City, but an overall run of nine wins since New Year's Day - with many coming against fellow play-off hopefuls - and the fourth-strongest home record saw them edge ahead of Blackburn Rovers and Millwall on the final day of the regular season.

And, despite being the most unfancied side out of the quartet making up this season's play-offs, Manning has plenty of difference-makers at his disposal, with the likes of Anis Mehmeti and Jason Knight being joined by left-back Ross McCrorie in that particular discussion, with the defender backing up his sumptuous strike against the Black Cats on Good Friday with a quick-fire brace against Preston last weekend to continue the club's promotion bid.

However, due to the calibre of performances Mehmeti and club captain Knight, in particular, have been able to achieve throughout the season, Prutton believes that City will have to keep an eye on any potential interest in the summer, especially if they aren't to be successful in the play-offs.

David Prutton issues transfer prediction involving Bristol City's Anis Mehmeti and Jason Knight

The recruitment model in BS3 has been impressive for quite some time, and Manning will no doubt be grateful to former Reds boss, Nigel Pearson, for spending a combined £2.75m on the services of the Albanian winger and Republic of Ireland midfielder from Wycombe Wanderers and Derby County, respectively.

In a side known for sharing the goals around, Mehmeti ended the season as the club's top scorer with 12, whilst Knight also produced a strong output from a deep-lying position, registering three goals and six assists - only Max Bird accumulated more assists this term.

Therefore, with Premier League sides sourcing an array of gems from the Championship in recent years, Prutton wouldn't be surprised to see the aforementioned duo follow such feats, especially with Mehmeti's contract set to expire next summer.

"Mehmeti and Jason Knight, yes! (They've been a) big part of what Bristol City have been about this season," he exclusively told Football League World. "Especially with Anis, he's really come on leaps and bounds.

"I know for a fact he's a very hard-working part of the group, as is Jason. And, maybe operating under a little less expectation has allowed them to work their way into these play-offs.

"I'm intrigued to see what effect they have on these big games coming up," the Sky Sports pundit claimed. "They're very much in the shop window-type position, aren't they.

"I suppose, the important thing for Liam Manning, if he wants to continue building a squad that's challenging for the top-six, if they don't go up, then you need to make sure that the good players stick around and are offered what entices them to stick around.

"So, watch this space," Prutton concluded.

Bristol City will be weighing up their options depending on play-off outcome

Both players have enjoyed stellar seasons in their own right, and will no doubt be short of suitors regardless of what division the Robins are playing their football in come August.

However, if City are unable to bridge the gap between themselves and the top-flight for another season, they may have to part ways with one of Mehmeti or Knight, as hard as that may be given their importance to Manning's philosophy, but then take heart from the 'moneyball' approach that eventually saw the likes of Brentford into the Premier League after a handful of near misses in the play-offs.

The Reds boss admitted in March that contract discussions involving the likes of their star winger, who is out-of-contract next summer, were at a "loose" stage, which could be a slight concern regarding his valuation if sides are to plot a move in the coming weeks, whereas the ball is firmly in the club's court as Knight was tied down until 2027 after his signing was completed two summers ago.