Football Struber ponders whether to start Bird against his old team

MAX Bird is “very close” to being considered for a starting role after returning from injury, Gerhard Struber has confirmed ahead of Bristol City’s clash with Derby County, while the rest of the squad came through the draw with Charlton Athletic unscathed.

- Dan CARTER

The Robins travel to Pride Park to face the Rams tonight as they look to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches against John Eustace’s side. Derby are one of six Championship sides without a league win this season, having been beaten 5-3 by Coventry City last time out.

Eustace’s side kicked off their second successive campaign in the second tier with an opening-day defeat to Stoke City, before booking their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout win over West Brom. But as they were beaten by the Sky Blues last weekend, City were held to a 0-0 draw by Charlton.

Having returned from injury to play the final 15 minutes of the Robins’ League Cup clash with MK Dons, Bird managed 33 minutes against the Addicks.