JAMIE McCombe says he is ready to resume Coca-Cola Championship battle if called upon this weekend.

Now fully recovered from the fractured cheekbone which kept him on the sidelines for seven weeks, Bristol City's towering centre-back today declared himself fit and raring to go.

The Robins return to action after the international break when they take on Norwich City at Ashton Gate on Saturday – and McCombe wants to be involved.

Having announced his comeback in a behind closed-doors friendly at Swindon Town last week, the 6ft 5in defender moved another crucial step nearer first team consideration when coming safely though Tuesday's Totesport.com Combination fixture against Salisbury City at Ashton Gate.

McCombe played 90 minutes, helped a strong reserve side win 5-2 and must now wait and see if manager Gary Johnson calls upon him for the weekend showdown with the Canaries and former City striker Leroy Lita.

He said: "Of course I'm hoping to play on Saturday. That's what I'm in football for and I'd love to be involved.

"At the end of the day, that's down to the manager and what he decides. All I can do is get my head down, work hard, get fit and, hopefully, put my name back in the hat.

"You're never totally out of it when you come back from injury and you can be back in the first team sooner than you think.

"The most important thing is to make sure you're ready when the call comes. You have to look after your body and make sure you're mentally prepared for first team football.

"Who knows what's around the corner? One minute you're miles away from the team, the next you're back in. I'm focusing totally on my football and, hopefully, will get back in as soon as possible."

Stretchered off following an aerial collision with Derby County defender Claude Davis on August 16, McCombe underwent emergency surgery and had a metal plate fitted in his cheek.

Surgeons recently declared the operation a success and McCombe reported no ill-effects following the reserve team outing.

He revealed: "I have a few aches, but that's inevitable after seven weeks out. Otherwise, I feel fine and I'm pleased with my progress.

"I've played two full games now and I'm now starting to feel the benefit. You lose your match fitness quickly when you're out injured and these games are ideal for regaining match sharpness.

"Playing in the reserves is not the same as playing in first team football, but it's the closest we can get to it and getting a couple of games under my belt has definitely helped my fitness."

City boss Gary Johnson has virtually a fully fit squad from which to select for the first time this season and a number of players pressed their first team claims against Salisbury.

Nicky Maynard, Gavin Williams and Lee Trundle were all substituted, suggesting they will be involved at the weekend, while McCombe, Marvin Elliott and Cole Skuse all proved their fitness after injury.

David Noble and Brian Wilson also played 90 minutes and Johnson has numerous options available to him as he seeks to halt a run of three Championship games without a win.

● Jennison Myrie-Williams is to spend another month at Carlisle United on loan from Bristol City.

The 20-year-old winger, who can also play up front, is yet to start a league game for the struggling Cumbrians.

But he has had four outings from the bench and started the Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at Rochdale.

City will retain a 24-hour recall clause for Myrie-Williams, who first played for Carlisle boss John Ward on loan at Cheltenham last season.