Jamal Campbell-Ryce is winning his race against time to be fit for Bristol City's final home game of the season.

Injured during the recent 1-0 win over Swansea, the former Barnsley winger missed last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe because of a tight hamstring.

But Campbell-Ryce was today expected to train with the first-team squad and caretaker manager Keith Millen is confident he will be available to play some part when Derby County visit Ashton Gate this weekend.

"Jamal has done some light work already this week and we are hopeful he will be able to train on Thursday with the rest of the group," said Millen.

"If he comes through a full session without any reaction, he will definitely have a chance.

"It is too early to say whether he will start or be on the bench, but he will very likely be involved in the squad."

Although Millen will resist the temptation to gamble with a player's fitness, he will nevertheless be keen to restore Campbell-Ryce to the starting line-up.

Deployed as a left wing-back since Jamie McAllister succumbed to injury, the Jamaican international has adapted quickly to his new role and become a key figure in City's improved performances under Millen.

City's caretaker boss said: "We missed Jamal at Scunthorpe last weekend. He has done really well on the left side since we changed his role, and his pace and ability to deliver crosses with either foot have given us another dimension.

"I thought we missed his attacking play last Saturday and we didn't get at Scunthorpe down that left flank as much as I would have liked. Although it is a role which involves more defending than he is used to, he also gives us an outlet and a decent option going forward."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Dean Gerken has recovered from the shoulder injury which ruled him out of games against Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea and is pushing for a recall.

Having kept back-to-back clean sheets, Stephen Henderson was preferred to Gerken at Scunthorpe last weekend and the Irishman gave another assured performance.

But Gerken has trained this week and Millen must decide whether or not to reinstate him between the posts on Saturday.

Meanwhile, David Clarkson pressed his claims for a first-team recall, scoring one goal and making two as a strong City reserve team beat Exeter 6-3 in a Totesport.com Combination fixture at Ashton Gate.

Scottish striker Clarkson, a second-half substitute at Scunthorpe last Saturday, opened the scoring with an angled drive after 15 minutes.

He then set up Patrick Agyemang for his first City goal since arriving on loan from QPR in January and drew the foul which enabled Evander Sno to extend the home side's lead from the penalty spot.

Left-back Gary Sawyer netted with a spectacular volley from the edge of the 18-yard box and midfielder Ashley Kington lobbed Grecians keeper Tim Sandercombe to add a fifth on the stroke of half-time.

Stuart Fleetwood pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Brian Wilson needlessly fouled James Norwood and Callum Butcher gave the scoreline a semblance of respectability, beating Robins keeper Steve Collis with a rising shot from 25 yards.

Tristan Plummer restored City's four-goal advantage, but there was still time for Norwood to reduce Exeter's arrears.