A fully fit Steven Davies will be even more dangerous says Bristol City boss Sean O'Driscoll

Bristol City head coach Sean O'Driscoll believes top-scorer Steven Davies will pose an even greater threat to opposition defences when fully fit.

Since joining the Robins from Derby County last summer, the striker has started just nine Championship games.

More often than not, he has been used as a substitute, coming off the bench on 15 occasions and being restricted to cameo roles.

But despite not holding down a regular place in the starting eleven, Davies has proved prolific in front of goal, netting 10 times so far.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013

And O'Driscoll believes the best is still to come from a player who has struggled to retain full fitness.

"Steven's ability is not in question, but we have to make sure we can get him fitter," said O'Driscoll.

"The fitter we get him, the more dangerous he will become.

"He and Jon Stead have worked quite well together in training and I thought they complemented one another well against Forest."

But Davies sustained a muscle strain during Saturday's game and is racing against time to be fit for Saturday's Severnside derby against Cardiff City in the Welsh capital.

Already without five key players through injury, O'Driscoll can ill afford to lose anyone else.

Midfielders Cole Skuse and Neil Kilkenny, defender Louis Carey and strikers Sam Baldock and Ryan Taylor are currently sidelined and all are still receiving treatment.

Of those, Carey, Baldock and Skuse could return at Cardiff, while Kilkenny and Taylor are long-term absentees.

"Cole and Sam have a chance because of the nature of their injuries, but Ryan has a fracture and has no chance, while Neil Kilkenny is probably a couple of weeks away," said O'Driscoll.

"Louis Carey is either going to be a quick healer – and he is already feeling a lot better – or he is going to take longer. It is difficult to know.

"We could certainly do with one or two back."