It's Just Another Day - Cotterill

As families wake to presents under the tree and festive songs on Friday, City’s players will be on the training ground in preparation for the Boxing Day encounter with Charlton Athletic (3pm).

City’s manager said: “It’s just Friday, like any other day. I wouldn’t give the players Friday off before a match normally so we won’t be doing it just because it’s Christmas Day.

“The players will have some time with their families after training, probably not so much in the morning. It’s an important game and we need to prepare for it properly.”

The precise planning continues after the Boxing Day encounter with Charlton, with Cotterill adding: “They’ll be in the ice bath, get some post-food in them and then we’ll be travelling straight up to Burnley that night.”

Kieran Agard missed last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with QPR after suffering a calf problem in training.

“Looking at him now, I’d say it’s unlikely he’ll be available to us for the Christmas fixtures,” admitted Cotterill.

“Derrick Williams had a slight problem with his leg again, but he should be okay.”