Gary Johnson has issued an impassioned rallying call to Bristol City's supporters.

Under mounting pressure following a series of disappointing performances and results which have seen his side slip towards the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone, the manager knows the significance of tonight's home game against Leicester City.

Victory would ease the tension which has been building since the 6-0 home defeat to Cardiff and help restore lost confidence, but anything less would increase the pressure being felt by Johnson and his players, who face a tough game against Championship high-flyers West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Although some fans are threatening to stay away in protest at the team's performances this season, and floating supporters may be tempted to stay at home and watch tonight's televised Champions League clash between AC Milan and Manchester United, Johnson believes the Ashton Gate crowd has a crucial part to play in inspiring City to claiming a first victory in six games and stopping the rot.

Johnson was instrumental in the fans being awarded the squad number 12, and he said they could prove vital if they can cheer City to the win they so desperately need.

"This is a time when our supporters can really come into their own," said Johnson, whose team is just five points off the relegation zone after winning just twice in the last 17 games.

"Now is the time the lads need their support and, if they can get behind the players and the team, it could make all the difference. What we need is the kind of support that only die-hard fans can give, the kind of support that instils confidence and lifts people.

"I cannot drag people into the ground, but the ones who are here will be the die-hard supporters who want Bristol City to do well.

"We gave them the No 12 shirt and they will prove my best signing of all if they can help a group of players with fragile confidence buck up and get this elusive win. Things can change, and they can help make it happen."

He added: "I know we haven't played particularly well on a number of occasions at Ashton Gate this season, but our home record is not disastrous and it's important how the supporters perceive things.

"They have to get behind the lads who are out there and back them for 90 minutes. If after that, they are disappointed, then they can say and do what they like, because that won't affect the players.

"We need to work hard to get the confidence back and, when it does come back, people will see that we are a team again. You can do that at home, because a majority of those inside the ground are your supporters."

Back-to-back home games offer an opportunity for City to improve their position, but also generate additional pressure to perform in front of an increasingly critical audience.

Johnson conceded: "The next game is always the most important, but it becomes especially important if you haven't had a win for a little while. Our next win is going to be major, and I want the fans to go away believing and knowing they played a part in it."

Far from being daunted by fixtures against two of the main promotion candidates, Johnson welcomes the challenge.

He said: "We are playing two very strong sides in our next two games, but maybe that is what we need right now.

"This could be a good time to play those teams, because the players know they will have to be on their game to get a result.

"We've worked on a shape in training we think will do well against Leicester, and the lads need to be aggressive in trying to get at the opposition and score that all-important first goal."

Although striker Danny Haynes and midfielder Marvin Elliott are now fully recovered from the illnesses which laid them low last week and available for selection, top-scorer Nicky Maynard, new signing Jamal Campbell-Ryce and experienced left-back Jamie McAllister are still struggling to overcome injuries and are rated extremely doubtful.

"We'll give some of them fitness tests, but we're not going to gamble on anyone when we have so many games coming up," said Johnson.