No challenge Cardines will not accept, says Ellis

Rio Cardines has produced five assists in his past five Championship games for Bristol City [Getty Images] On-loan defender Rio Cardines is stepping up to all challenges put in front of him at Bristol City, says sporting director James Ellis. The 20-year-old is on a season-long loan at the Championship club from Crystal Palace and has played in all six of their league games so far. He also has five assists from the Robins' past five games - the first player in the Championship to do so in 12 years. "To contribute to four or five goals already is wonderful but we've got to remember his game is not just that," Ellis told BBC Radio Bristol's Sound of the City. "If you watch him, athletically he's very good. In his first game, away at Birmingham, you had Lisav [Eissat] and him on the left-hand side, both are new to the league - his covering of Lisav inside, his decision-making, his positioning, for a young man is terrific. "The last thing is that this kid is versatile. He can play right-back, he can play left-back, we think he can play higher up, but there's no challenge at the moment that this boy won't accept." Cardines was at Arsenal's academy before joining Palace at the age of 16, and made his Premier League debut in the final game of last season - against Arsenal. After an eye-catching start to the Championship campaign, Ellis said there was a risk Palace might recall Cardines early rather than see out the whole loan until next summer, and they have the option to do so. "When these young players perform at this level then the parent club will be looking," he said. "But we have a really strong relationship with Crystal Palace. They want him here for the season and that's what they've said." He added, however, that Bristol City were looking at back-up options for the January transfer window if they were to lose Cardines. "Our 'what if' question in January is, if Rio does go back to Crystal Palace then what do we do, and all those plans are currently working and in place," Ellis said. Latest Bristol City news, analysis and fan views