New boy Will Atkinson went straight on to the left side of City's midfield at Bristol Rovers.

The other change from the 1-1 draw with Burton was the return of suspension of David Syers. He came in for Ritchie Jones, who dropped to the bench.

The subs also included Kyel Reid for his first involvement since injuring his hamstring on Boxing Day. But Andy Haworth, who had started the previous two games, did not even travel.

CITY: McLaughlin, Kozluk, Bullock, Davies, Seip, Fagan, Ravenhill, Syers, Atkinson, Wells, Hanson. Subs: Jones, Smalley, Taylor, Reid, Duke.