GARY Johnson will challenge his Bristol City players to prove their recent upturn in fortunes is no "flash in the pan" before sending them out to face Sheffield United at Ashton Gate tonight.

Beaten 3-0 by the Blades at Bramall Lane on October 4, City are eager to exact a swift revenge on home soil. And the Robins are sure to go into the game with renewed confidence after claiming seven points from their last three games.

Back-to-back victories over Norwich and Charlton lifted the Robins back into the Championship's top six, a position they maintained when returning with a further point from Saturday's goalless draw at Barnsley.

City have improved dramatically in the three weeks since they lost in Sheffield and the message from their manager is simple.

"We have to keep it going," declared Johnson. "We have an opportunity to show how much we've improved and prove to people that we can compete with the likes of Sheffield United."

But Johnson is taking nothing for granted and knows exactly what to expect from Kevin Blackwell's side.

He warned: "It's not going to be a football match and we're going to have to earn the right to play.

"We know what to expect from Sheffield United – they're not looking to pass the ball, they're looking to shove it down your throat.

"We're looking forward to that aspect of it to see if we've improved since the last time we played them."

Johnson likens tonight's fixture to last season's home game against Ipswich Town.

He said: "We're going to have to do another Ipswich. We were beaten by six goals at their place and then won 2-0 at our place a few weeks later.

"Now we have to do the same thing again. We were well beaten by Sheffield United and we have to recover quickly."

City host Reading on Saturday and Johnson believes the next two games will provide a reliable yardstick by which to measure his team's progress.

He said: "These are two fantastic games for the players and the fans. We know what we're up against with Sheffield United and playing Reading will show us where we are.

"Those two are both above us in the table and we need to show we can compete with these teams."

Johnson has been heartened by three successive clean sheets and will again send his side out with a brief to keep things tight at the back.

He said: "We've kept six clean sheets in 13 games this season and, while you're doing that, you have a chance.

"The entire back four are doing well, the two centre-backs, the two full-backs and the goalkeeper, and we're looking a lot more solid.

"You can't afford to leave yourself open in the Championship. You have to be solid and then look to play when you have the ball."

Meanwhile, Johnson expects full back Jamie McAllister to be out for the near future after he picked up a toe injury against Barnsley.

"Jamie's a doubt and we're certainly planning ahead for tomorrow night by looking at the other options available," Johnson said.

Bradley Orr returns from suspension for Bristol City's clash with the Blades, while Andy Webster and Brian Wilson also offer defensive cover for the absent McAllister who is likely to be out for a few weeks.