Gary Johnson believes City need eight more wins to clinch promotion to the Premier League.

Just 13 games remain in the regular Coca-Cola Championship season and City currently sit third, one point off joint-leaders Stoke and Watford.

Now, in a plan reminiscent of last season's succesful campaign in League One, City's manager has spelt out his side's requirements if they wish to reach the promised land.

"Before the Blackpool win last season I said we needed eight wins and the Rotherham game was just that," he told Bristol City World.

"We've looked at the situation with 13 games to go and feel we need eight wins again. We feel that would be enough to clinch an automatic promotion place.

"We might need one draw or so (beyond the eight wins). It would certainly maintain our position in the top six, that's for sure.

"We'd just like to get some wins, back-to-back, early in the run-in. The sooner we start that the better chance we have of hanging on in there and being in the mix come the final game of the season.

"It's a small number of wins required for the prize at the end of it."

The City manager would like the first of the club's eight required wins to come at Colchester tomorrow.

"It will be hard because Colchester are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table," he added.

"The onus is on them and you would expect them to come out and attack us. It will be a different game to the Palace one, where they were blatant in the way they tried to stop us playing.

"Colchester are the home team and do need to win the game. They have a good record at Layer Road and are unbeaten in their last four.

"They're not exactly at the top of the form table, but they are one of the form teams. We also have to respect that they were in and around the play-offs this time last year.

"We have to be right on guard because I'm sure Colchester will produce a very passionate game."

City will check on the fitness of Louis Carey (foot) and Brian Wilson (illness) before selecting a squad of 16.