Coppell could be on verge of signing treble
Stewart, a 29-year-old 6ft 3in centre-back, has made 151 league appearances for the West London club and has been capped 36 times by Jamaica.
He joined QPR from Jamaican club Harbour View after a season-long loan spell at Bradford City and is seen as an experienced replacement for Jamie McCombe, the 6ft 5in central defender who left to join Huddersfield last month.
Coppell will hope Stewart's signing is the first part of a triple swoop, as he is also targeting a right-back and a goalkeeper. Right-back Nicky Hunt returns to Ashton Gate today to complete his transfer from Premier League Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. And the Robins are still very much in the hunt to sign England goalkeeper David James, who has been offered a one-year deal at Ashton Gate.
City face competition from Sunderland and Fulham for the 39-year-old former Aston Villa and Liverpool keeper's signature. But speculation that James has already agreed a deal with Black Cats boss Steve Bruce remains unsubstantiated.
James, who last played in England's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Germany in South Africa a month ago, has yet to decide his future and is still considering City's offer.
Hunt will serve as a replacement for Bradley Orr, who last night completed his long-anticipated move to QPR.
City's requirement for a tall, first-ball-winning central defender is equally pressing. The injury that has ruled Louis Carey out of City's pre-season, allied to McCombe's departure, have left City short of defensive cover. Midfielders Cole Skuse and Kalifa Cisse have been forced to operate as makeshift centre-backs in a number of friendly fixtures.
Having worked furiously behind the scenes all week in an attempt to strengthen a depleted squad, manager Coppell is confident he will have two new defenders on board in time for tomorrow's final dress rehearsal against Premier League newcomers Blackpool at Ashton Gate.
City's new manager is working around the clock in an attempt to replenish his depleted stocks.
Cisse (thigh strain) and on-trial left-back Tom Williams (groin) joined the ranks of the walking wounded during Wednesday's pre-season friendly encounter with Yeovil Town at Huish Park.
Coppell said: "My biggest concern is that we are now down to the bare bones. The squad was already thin, but these latest injuries mean numbers are now extremely low. The way pre-season has evolved, it has not been ideal preparation.
"Unless we bulk up, we could lose a stride at the start of the season.
"Obviously, as a new manager coming in, I would like to start the season strongly. But we need new input before that can happen."
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