The Echo speculate today that Chris Barker may be dropped with Tony Vidmar moving to left back. That would allow Spencer Prior to come in alongside Daniel Gabbidon.
There is a suggestion from the BBC that it could be Gabbidon thats rested.
City are out of balance in midfield with the news not so good on John Robinson. He is not expected to start training again until mid January. That means City will have to play either Gareth Whalley or Mark Bonner as the left sided midfielder but as both are central players we lack a cutting edge down the left flank.