Bristol City vs Notts County preview - Strikers out for Robins

Posted Friday, January 09, 2015 by PA

Bristol City could be without strikers Kieran Agard and Aaron Wilbraham once more when they host Notts County.

Wilbraham has missed the Robins' last three games with a hip injury while Agard has been missing since sustaining an ankle injury on Boxing Day and boss Steve Cotterill revealed the pair are closing in on returns but are taking it day by day.

Even if either of the forwards are given the green light they are unlikely to start after Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Matt Smith put Gillingham to the sword in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in midweek, with the latter grabbing all four goals on Tuesday night.

City will, however, be without Todd Kane who was recalled by Chelsea and then signed for Nottingham Forest.

Midfielder Liam Noble comes back into contention for the visitors following suspension.

His return means Magpies manager Shaun Derry has a full squad to choose from - apart from the absence of long-term knee injury victim Jimmy Spencer.

Notts have not played since the 1-0 defeat to Bradford on December 28 and on-loan attackers Jake Cassidy (Wolves) and Stephen McLaughlin (Forest) have since returned to their parent clubs. Both were starters at Valley Parade so Derry will make at least two changes on Saturday.

The likes of Ronan Murray, Curtis Thompson, Drissa Traore, Elliott Whitehouse, Mike Edwards and teenager Colby Bishop are options for Derry.