Bristol City vs Bolton Wanderers - Luke Ayling available for Bristol City

Posted Friday, March 18, 2016 by PA

Luke Ayling will be available for Bristol City's home game with Bolton after being cleared of being involved in indecent behaviour at the Cheltenham Festival.

Ayling apologised for his part in the incident which to led to a group of footballers being banned from the festival, but City manager Lee Johnson said the Sky Bet Championship club had completed a "full and thorough investigation" into events at Cheltenham and that the defender had only been guilty of being "naive".

Korey Smith's ankle injury will be assessed, but his return after four games out is likely to be delayed until after the international break.

Mark Little (hamstring) is available after missing last weekend's 2-1 win at Fulham and Peter Odemwingie is in contention to make his first start after joining on loan from Stoke.

Bolton begin life without Neil Lennon, though interim manager Jimmy Phillips will still inherit some of the problems the Northern Irishman had.

Midfielder Jay Spearing may not play again this term as another appearance would trigger a bonus payment to Liverpool, while Liam Feeney has been sent out on loan to Ipswich this week.

Josh Vela, dropped after a run of disappointing performances and a fall-out with Lennon, could be restored to the starting line-up as he, along with Rob Holding and one-time Bristol City target Zach Clough, all graduated under Phillips' watch.

Emile Heskey (hip) and David Wheater (hamstring) are training but may have to wait for a return after the international break while Max Clayton (hamstring), Dorian Dervite and Ben Amos (both ankle) are all still out.