Bristol City boss Gary Johnson insists the FA Cup is coming around at just the right time for his players.

Severnside rivals Cardiff City visit Ashton Gate in what promises to be a passionate third round tie tomorrow and Johnson is looking forward to taking a break from the rigours of the Coca-Cola Championship campaign.

Under pressure following a meagre return of one win in their last 10 outings, City will benefit from contesting a game in which no league points are at stake.

"The FA Cup involves a different

mentality and this is a good game for us to have at the moment," admitted Johnson.

"It's a one-off game, both teams need a win to get them going again and it's one of those matches you can look forward to.

"There is less pressure in as much as league points are not up for grabs and that could be what we need at this moment in time.

"It's a local derby, we should have a big crowd and it's an occasion where the fans can be passionate."

Johnson makes no attempt to play down the significance of tomorrow's match, acknowledging the financial benefits of a prolonged cup run.

He said: "It's not just a big game because it's a local derby. Both Cardiff and ourselves would like to move on in the FA Cup.

"Cardiff went all the way to the final two seasons ago and showed what Championship clubs can do in this competition.

"We know there is good money to be made if you can stay in the competition and a good cup run will give everybody a lift and help our league form."

Johnson believes home advantage could be a key factor in a game between two sides who are out of sorts.

He recalled: "I was in the boardroom when the draw was made and could tell by the look on Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale's face that he wasn't a happy man.

"I don't think they are happy at having to come and play us at our place and we have to use our home advantage as best we can.

"Our support was magnificent against Watford on Monday and 16,000 turned up. They will have a big part to play again on Saturday."

City were booed off by a few supporters after Monday's 2-2 draw with Watford and Johnson has since been the subject of increased criticism among fans. But he insists City have not become a bad side overnight and urges supporters to reserve judgment until the end of the campaign.

"We've proved in the last two games that we are not a bad side," claimed the Londoner. "We had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside when 2-1 up against Watford and should have had a penalty at QPR on Saturday.

"Had luck gone our way, we could easily have come out of those games with four points and everybody would have been happy

"It's still early in the season and there is time for things to change. All I ask is that people wait and see where we end up after 46 games before they pass judgment."

Centre-back Lewin Nyatanga serves a one-match ban following his sending off against Watford and Liam Fontaine is expected to take his place in a back four comprising Bradley Orr, Louis Carey and Jamie McAllister.

Jamie McCombe is still recovering from a variety of minor knocks and Christian Ribeiro, recalled from a loan spell at Stockport in midweek, will provide defensive cover on the bench.