Johnson makes fringe promise

Gary Johnson has opened the door for his City fringe players to get a run of games as he plans changes for the trip to Southampton.

The Robins boss is set to wield the axe and freshen up his line-up in a bid to halt a three-game winless run when City face the Saints in Saturday evening's televised clash at St Mary's.

And Johnson is also offering his players the incentive of an extended run of games in the team if they arrest the slide and perform better than those who disappointed in the 4-1 home defeat to Reading.

"It is an opportunity for them. Places are up for grabs and the players who face Southampton will have a chance to stake a claim," said Johnson. "Anyone who comes into the team now and helps us turn things around is going to earn themselves a run of games.

"I usually like to keep a settled side, but you have to look at things when you have been beaten like we were by Reading.

"Reading were better than us on the day and we have to try and work out why that happened and then do something about it. Maybe freshening things up a bit is the answer."