Bristol City v Sheff Wed preview

Team news ahead of Saturday afternoon's FA Cup third-round clash between Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City are monitoring the fitness of several players ahead of the FA Cup visit of Sheffield Wednesday. Manager Keith Millen stopped short of naming those players nursing minor knocks, but hopes that a couple of days rest following the hectic Christmas and New Year schedule will help them to recover in time. "I gave the players two days off because they needed it on the back of their recent exerts," said Millen. "A few have been feeling knocks and strains but hopefully the time off will see those ease." Defenders Louis Carey (illness and calf), Liam Fontaine (ankle) and Jamie McAllister (calf) have missed matches recently and it remains to be seen if the third round tie comes too soon for them to be involved. Damion Stewart, Christian Ribeiro, Danny Haynes and David Clarkson are available for recalls should Millen wish to make changes. On the tie, the City boss added: "It's a massive game for us, I think it's our biggest game of the season. We want a cup run because for the finances of the club it can be a massive boost, but the supporters deserve an exciting cup run too." Sheffield Wednesday's new signings Reda Johnson and Michael Morrison could make their debuts in the FA Cup clash at Bristol City. Johnson, 22, signed from Plymouth for an undisclosed fee, is eligible for the third-round tie, as is Morrison, also 22, who completed his signing from Leicester in time. Fellow defender Jon Otsemobor is sidelined with a calf injury and although Lewis Buxton, who can play anywhere along the back line, is making good progress following a hamstring strain, he is unlikely to feature. The other absentee, midfielder Giles Coke (knee), is also close to a return but will not be considered. Manager Alan Irvine, who has no other new injury or suspension worries, must decide whether to recall defender Daniel Jones, midfielder Chris Sedgwick and striker Paul Heffernan as his side look to bounce back from successive league defeats.