The Robins first-choice stopper sat out the defeat to Brighton prior to the international break.
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson
Quoted by the Bristol Post, Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has revealed that he is cautiously optimistic that his number one goalkeeper Frankie Fielding will return to action this weekend.
The 28-year-old picked up an injury in the draw with Barnsley at the end of October, and Johnson saw replacement goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell beaten by a strike from the halfway line in the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton last time out.
“Frankie was back in training on Tuesday and we’ll see how he gets along. He is okay to keep goal and he is moving around fine,” Johnson said.
“But the crunch will come when he kicks the ball and that’s why I’m a bit cagey and saying he’s 50-50. If he kicks and it causes him a problem, then he cannot play,” he added.
Bristol City’s Frank Fielding
Fielding has made nine appearances for the Robins so far this season, keeping three clean sheets in the process, and his return would be a welcome boost to a side that have won just once in their last five matches.
Midfielder Luke Freeman has also been on the City treatment table, but Johnson is less confident about the former Stevenage man’s prospects of a return this weekend.
Bristol City’s Luke Freeman (R) in action
The trip to the West Midlands represents a stern test of Bristol City’s play-off credentials. Hosts Birmingham are currently seventh, just one place and one point adrift of the top six, with Johnson’s side a point further back.
History is not on their side this weekend. The Robins have not won at St Andrew’s since 1990 and were blown away by a first-half Clayton Donaldson hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season, eventually going down to a 4-2 defeat.
Bristol City are made of sterner stuff this season, however, and will fancy their chances of picking up a positive result.
Can Lee Johnson’s side win at St Andrew’s? Leave your predictions below.
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