MIDFIELD kingpin Jon Worthington is confident normal service will be resumed by Town at Ashton Gate tomorrow.

The 21-year-old was stung by the 2-0 home defeat to Barnsley which cost Town their play-off placing after fine displays against Hull City and Port Vale.

Worthington believes, however, that Town are still finding their feet at Coca-Cola League I level and will be solid challengers as the season unfolds.

"Everyone was disappointed to lose against Barnsley, but the lads have been bright in training this week knowing we've got a big game against Bristol City to look forward to," said Worthington.

"It would have been nice to have turned it on for the fans once again, but I think there's very little between the teams in this League.

"It's about consistency and anyone who can put a run together will be right up there.

"We already know we can play against and beat the top teams, so there's no reason why we can't put that sort of run on the board."

Worthington is pleased with his form and hopes to avoid the yellow card for a little while yet which will mean suspension.

"I had quite a run up to the play-offs last season when I was just one booking away from suspension and that did prey on my mind a bit," he admitted.

"But this situation isn't bothering me with it being so early in the season. I'm just getting on with my job."

Worthington is joint second-top scorer behind Pawel Abbott, but since netting against Peterborough and Doncaster in successive matches he's been employed in more of a holding role.

"I've been asked to play a bit deeper with Danny Schofield and Chris Brandon pushing on, but I've been getting on the ball and picking up from deep so I've been enjoying it," he said.

"I've been pleased with my form recently and I do think we can do well.

"It was lapses in concentration which cost us last Saturday, but we dominated large spells of the second half - Barnsley were hardly in our half - and we've got to look to go on from there. It was a shame we couldn't get a break for a goal, because that would have made a hell of a difference, but we've had two games where goals have been flying in all over the place, so I suppose the luck was going to run against us at some stage."

Town, of course, are forced to make changes at the back thanks to Efe Sodje starting a three-match ban and Rob Edwards being ruled out by a hamstring injury.

In contrast, Brian Tinnion has few injury worries apart from himself (knee) following the Carling Cup exit to Everton in a penalty shoot-out which followed a 2-2 draw.

Bradley Orr took the manager's place in midfield for that tie and could well continue alongside Tommy Doherty in the centre.

Biggest danger for Town could be the widemen - Scott Murray on the right and Australian Olympic player Luke Wilkshire on the left - although Leroy Lita has been among the goals with eight so far.

Bristol City - (probable): Phillips, Smith, Butler, Coles, Hill, Murray, Doherty, Orr, Wilkshire, Lita, Roberts. Subs (from): Tinnion, Miller, Heffernan, Fortune, Gillespie, Goodfellow.

Town - (from): Gray, Holdsworth, Lloyd, Mirfin, Yates, Clarke, Brown, Worthington, Brandon, Schofield, Booth, Abbott, A Sodje, Mendes, Fowler, Senior, McAliskey, Ahmed, McCombe.

Referee - Iain Williamson (Berkshire).

* Town fans should note it's pay at the gate for tomorrow's match.