Bristol City vs Colchester United preview - Robins at full strength

Posted Thursday, August 14, 2014 by PA

Bristol City will have a fully-fit squad when they host Colchester at Ashton Gate.

Defender Karleigh Osborne, who missed the opening-day win at Sheffield United, came through 90 minutes of the Robins' Capital One Cup defeat to Oxford on Tuesday night and is expected to be in the squad on Saturday.

Steve Cotterill made eight changes for that 2-1 loss and he is likely to recall most of the side that started at Bramall Lane, including goalscorers Wade Elliott and Aaron Wilbraham.

Joe Bryan will hope his second-minute opener against the U's will push him into the manager's thoughts.

Colchester captain Magnus Okuonghae will miss out through suspension after being sent off in Tuesday's Capital One Cup loss at Charlton for handball when blocking a shot on goal.

The U's appealed against that dismissal but the ruling stands, much to the disappointment of manager Joe Dunne, who said: "I feel bitterly disappointed and let down. I have great respect for the PGMO, but I feel very bitter because we feel we had a case."

Teenage midfielder Jack Curtis travelled with the squad in midweek and is set to be involved again, while fellow 18-year-old Frankie Kent could be thrown in at the deep end as cover for Okuonghae.

Dunne added on the club's official website: "I have no problems with considering Frankie for Saturday. The only reason he didn't come on on Tuesday was that I wanted to keep attacking players on the pitch, so I have no qualms in playing him."