Andy Hinchcliffe says he can see why Bristol City opted to let Josh Brownhill leave in January.
The Robins' star midfielder departed for Premier League Burnley last week, which enabled City to bring in Clarets striker Nahki Wells.
City subsequently strengthened their midfield with the loan signing of Markus Henriksen from Hull City and added to their defence by taking Filip Benkovic on loan from Leicester City.
Speaking on the Sky Sports' EFL podcast, Hinchcliffe admitted things have not gone quite the way the Robins hoped they would this season, but backed the club's January business.
He said: "I think for Bristol City it’s not been the perfect season by any means. For Lee Johnson, a striker was a priority.
"Yes, Diedhiou is getting better. He always threatens to be brilliant but then he never quite produces. But then if you bring Wells in that just gives you an alternative.
"You can play with a front two or play with Wells leading the line, or Diedhiou, so you can chop and change there.
"I suppose Lee Johnson was willing to sacrifice one of the Championship’s best central midfielders in Brownhill and balance the books a little bit because you have always got to think along those lines."
He added: "It seems like a big player to lose in Brownhill but I think City fans understand that it’s good money for him and also they’ve brought in a player that can fire them into the play-offs.
"So it does make sense to me."
