Bristol City v Derby County - Ram On

I've been given the game at Ashton Gate to cover tomorrow afternoon when Nigel Clough's Derby team come to town.

City have now lost only one game (Leeds away) in their last eight as they edge away from the relegation zone while Derby have last two on the bounce and need to get back to winning ways if they are to maintain the challenge at the top of the table.

City boss Keith Millen admitted he knew he was under pressure after a poor start to the season that probably had more to do with Steve Coppell's sudden resignation in the first week then his own ability. But Millen claimed he had the players onside and it looks as though he was right. November's Manager of the Month told the club's website:

"We'll make sure we're ready for Derby," Millen told the club's official website. "If I can start out on the road to Manager of the Month for December with a win, that would be good.  I know the kiss of death has happened a few times over the years and I'll be looking to avoid that. It's a shame the Nottingham Forest match was called off because we had hit a good run of form and felt confident going there. Derby will be another tough test."

Jon Stead, who had a three-month loan spell at Derby during the 2006/07 season, looks to have recovered from an ankle problem while the knee injury defender Christian Ribeiro suffered against Sheffield United two weeks ago was not as bad as initially feared. However, skipper Louis Carey is still out after scans revealed the dependable defender has a torn calf muscle.

Clough is probably under more pressure from the Pride Park boardroom to succeed, but to be fair to him Derby look more like contenders this season than they did last term and will certainly test the Robins.

Rams coach Andy Garner told the club website: ""We want to put it right on the road. There isn't a great deal wrong to be honest. At Doncaster we proved we have enough about us to go away, play well and win a game of football. What the lads need is to build that confidence up playing away from home, and that will come with a good run. Bristol City is another game and another chance for us to get back to winning ways."

Derby striker Alberto Bueno could make his return from a hamstring injury. Jake Buxton is still sidelined by his back complaint and Miles Addison also misses out with a foot problem.

Goalkeeper Frank Fielding's loan deal is up after tomorrow's game and the Blackburn loanee will be keen to sign off with a clean sheet.

I first met Fielding during another loan deal playing for Wycombe and he is certainly a talent. However, he'll be up against a resurgent Brett Pitman who has now scored three in his last two games while City's former England keeper David James has kept his first two consecutive clean sheets of the season and will be hankering after a third.

I have a feeling for the home side in this clash, but think James will pick the ball out of his net at least once. 2-1 to the Robins ... get along to Ashton Gate to see just how bad my predictions are!