Bristol City V Watford at Ashton Gate : Match Preview

23 December 2012 13:01
Bristol City V Watford - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McInnes considers changes

Bristol City manager Derek McInnes could shuffle his pack ahead of Watford's visit to Ashton Gate on Boxing Day.

Winger Paul Anderson made his Robins debut in the 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Ipswich at the weekend and is expected to keep his place in the side.

Long-term absentees Greg Cunningham (ankle) and Cole Skuse (fractured cheekbone) returned to the starting line-up on Saturday along with striker Jon Stead, providing further options for McInnes.

The manager must now decide whether to stick with the same XI that picked up a point at Portman Road or to recall Joe Bryan, Marvin Elliott and Sam Baldock, who all started on the bench last time out.

Defenders Lewin Nyatanga and Louis Carey are both back in contention, while Ryan Taylor (thigh) is a doubt along with Liverpool loanee Danny Wilson, who tweaked a hamstring in training.

Marco Cassetti will be missing for Watford.

The on-loan Italian defender was shown his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest and now serves an automatic one-match suspension against the Robins.

Victory may have taken the Hornets back into the top six in the Championship table but manager Gianfranco Zola has already stressed his intention to rotate over the hectic festive period.

"I have a big squad so I will use my numbers over the Christmas period because it is a tough time although we are equipped to do well," Zola told the club's official website.

Striker Fernando Forestieri (hamstring) is again not expected to be ready, along with defender Lloyd Doyley (calf).

Captain John Eustace and Nyron Nosworthy have both returned to training but are short of match fitness.

Source: PA