Bristol City's Nicky Maynard set for return at Doncaster

Sharp-shooter Nicky Maynard will almost certainly be back to spearhead Bristol City's attack at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Forced to sit out last weekend's FA Cup third-round clash with holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park, the 22-year-old striker has since made a good recovery from a calf strain.

Back in full training, City's record signing is ready to help try to shoot the Robins to a third successive Coca-Cola Championship victory at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The news will come as a major boost to a Bristol City team which has come to depend on Maynard's goals in recent weeks.

After a slow start to his first season in the Championship, the former Crewe Alexandra raider has come good, netting three goals to help Bristol City beat Watford and Crystal Palace during the festive period.

If, as expected, he is declared fit to play at Doncaster, the livewire forward is likely to renew his burgeoning partnership with loan signing Stern John.

Manager Gary Johnson's hand should be further strengthened by the return to fitness of winger Michael McIndoe, who missed out at Portsmouth because of a leg injury. And utility player Brian Wilson and left-back Jamie McAllister are also pushing for first-team recalls after recovering from shin and foot injuries respectively.

But there remain doubts over the participation of flying winger Ivan Sproule and centre-back Jamie McCombe, both of whom sustained injuries at Fratton Park.

Northern Ireland international Sproule limped off midway through the second half complaining of an ankle problem and is rated a 50/50 prospect to face Doncaster.

But McCombe is giving greater cause for concern after suffering a recurrence of the pelvic and stomach injuries which kept him out of the Boxing Day clash against Watford at Vicarage Road.

McCombe, who did a superb man-marking job on Pompey's England striker, Peter Crouch, last Saturday, has not trained since and is rated a major doubt.

He is expected to be fit to face Portsmouth in Tuesday's third-round replay at Ashton Gate, but Johnson may be forced to do without his 6ft 5in defender at the Keepmoat Stadium. If McCombe fails to recover in time, Liam Fontaine will very likely switch to the centre of defence, permitting McAllister to return at left-back.