Kalifa Cisse has given Bristol City some much-needed good news on the injury front by declaring himself fit ahead of the trip to Ipswich.

Sidelined since suffering a recurrence of a thigh strain during a pre-season friendly at Yeovil on July 28, the Mali international made his comeback in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Aldershot this week.

Fellow midfielder Cole Skuse is likely to miss out on Saturday after he sustained a knee injury in the 3-3 home draw against Barnsley in the Championship last weekend. Lee Johnson and Gavin Williams offer manager Keith Millen options, but he may decide to recall the combative Cisse now that he has proved his fitness.

Strikers Brett Pitman and Jon Stead both go into the squad after joining the Robins on three-year deals this week - Stead making an immediate return to Portman Road.

Skipper Louis Carey (heel) is also pushing for a first-team recall after featuring against Aldershot, while fellow defender Christian Ribeiro played 90 minutes in that game for the first time since recovering from a back problem.

Ribeiro still lacks match sharpness but Carey is ready to answer the call if Millen needs his experience against Roy Keane's Town side.