Norwich City (4-4-2): Marshall; Otsemobor, Bertrand, Shackell, Pearce; Huckerby, Fotheringham, Russell, Pattison; Dublin, Cureton. Subs: Gilks, Croft, Gibbs, Evans, Rigters.
City boss Glenn Roeder made just one change to the side that sent Colchester United hurtling towards League One last weekend as Gary Doherty's back strain gave Alex Pearce another chance to further his footballing education.
Given the weather buffeting Ashton Gate ahead of this afternoon's kick-off, that lesson was likely to include a 90-minute project on playing in a West Country gale as the Robins desperately hoped to use today's game to kick-start their faltering promotion charge into life.
Whether Doherty was ruled out due more to the prospect of 'testing' his back out with five hours sat on a coach on a Friday afternoon rather than his back strain being more problematical than first thought would have to wait until the post-match Press conference.
But he certainly wasn't among the five substitutes either as Roeder stuck to his positive thinking and named four, forward-minded outfield players to accompany the return of Matthew Gilks to the bench.
It would be interesting to see what would unfold if, say, Jon Otsemobor's Achilles played up at any stage with none of Lee Croft, Kieran Gibbs, Ched Evans and Maceo Rigters offering much by way of a defensive option. In every likelihood, Darel Russell would find himself making up the numbers at the back; Dion Dublin offering the only alternative at centre-half.
Otherwise, all Bristol eyes will be fixed on ex-Rovers favourite Jamie Cureton who could yet play such a large part in their promotion dreams. Yet to ever score against the red-half of his home city, the boy from Eastville remains just two short of 200 career goals.
If there were ever going to be a dream day for the 32-year-old, this would be it – to knock-off two milestones in one, 200 goals and a first strike against the Robins.
Do that and he will be the toast of one half of the West Country city; he'd be toast full stop if the other half got hold of him…
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