Ayling Appreciates Team-Mates' Work Ethic

The 24-year-old has filled the void for City’s last three games, and admits it has been a gruelling experience.

The position has given Ayling even more respect for the ‘shifts’ team-mates Joe Bryan and Mark Little put in on a regular basis.

“I don’t know how they did 50-odd games last year – it’s tough, I tell you!” he told Bristol City Player HD.

“It was non-stop Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday – they put an absolute shift in out there.

“Fair play to them because they go out there and bang out 12km every week!”

He added: “It’s a new position for me and it’s really tough out there.

“There’s a lot more running than there is at right centre-back, but I’m asked to play there and I’ll try my best every game.”

City travel to Suffolk to face Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town on Saturday (3pm), who have started the season in good form.

The Tractor Boys have won four matches to date, two of which came at Portman Road, and Ayling understands it will be a strong test for City.

“They’re a big, strong team and they know how to win games,” he said.

“They’ve started really well but, other than Saturday (against Reading), we’ve been playing well too so hopefully things will start changing soon.”