City aim to spoil Cheltenham’s promotion party tomorrow – but insist victory would not strike a psychological blow heading into the play-offs.

The pressure is off as Phil Parkinson’s side face the final game of the league campaign with their top-seven slot already sorted.

Cheltenham still harbour hopes of snatching automatic promotion if they win and Rotherham slip up at home to basement-dwellers Alder-shot.

If the Robins dip out as expected, the two sides could be on course to meet again in next week’s semi-finals.

But City number two Steve Parkin believes tomorrow’s outcome will have no bearing on a possible rematch.

He said: “I just think the play-offs are completely different. In essence it’s a cup competition and one we have to take on its merit when it comes around.

“We want to ensure we put on a good performance tomorrow and enjoy being where we are.

“You can’t state enough how well we’ve done to reach the play-offs with a game to spare. Everybody had more or less written us off after the disappointment of losing to Exeter.

“To get the results we have since against top seven teams has been quite remarkable.

“There was euphoria and relief among the staff and the players to get in (the play-offs). But apart from the week seeming like a long one because there was no Tuesday game, it’s been back to business as normal.

“We are taking this game seriously. We know there will be fans travelling down there to get behind us and we’ll be approaching it as professionally as we always do.

“If we meet Cheltenham in the play-offs, so be it. We just have to go into this game aiming to finish the league season well.”

Phil Parkinson has suggested changes will be made, with the likes of Alan Connell and Nathan Doyle set for action. Apart from Kyel Reid, who is recovering from his groin strain, everybody trained yesterday.

Andrew Davies and James Meredith both came through without problems and Parkinson may consider giving the centre half an outing to prove he is over his calf problem.

Parkin said: “The lads were fresh from a couple of days off so it was a really decent session. They were kicking lumps out of each other because they all want to be involved.

“The boys that have been on the fringes of the team in the last five or six weeks have been superb. They’ve come off the bench and been very active on the pitch.

“It’s a very tight-knit dressing room, only small in number but with a strong team spirit.”

Striker Connell, who last started at Exeter, said: “The gaffer has said he might make some changes so hopefully I’ll get the chance. If I do, I’m really looking forward to it.

“There are always opportunities when you step on the pitch. You are looking to do well and impress people.

“It’s been a marathon season and the way it’s gone we always felt we could get in the play-offs. Maybe it was destined with the amount of games we’ve played.

“But even though we’re already in the play-offs, the boys are very much going to Cheltenham to win.”

Cheltenham need a huge favour from the Shots at the New York Stadium but, given the unpredictable nature of League Two, it is not a completely lost cause and Parkin anticipates a fired-up home side.

“We’ve seen from the league how anything can happen,” he added. “We’ve seen how hard the bottom teams try.

“Rotherham are favourites to get that third spot but I’m sure Cheltenham will be trying their best to push them all the way. I will be very surprised if they’re not going at us with all guns blazing.”

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates felt City’s performance at Valley Parade earlier this season, when they came from a goal down to win 3-1, was the best his side have faced.

He said: “You’ve only got to see what Bradford have done for the rest of the season. Their achievement to get to the Capital One Cup final was extraordinary.”

Meanwhile, City have released details of their potential away ticket allocation for the play-off away leg.

They will receive 2,300 seat tickets if it is against Rotherham, 1,400-1,600 at Cheltenham and 1,400 terrace and 380 seats for Burton.