It's Right That I've Been Left Out - Tomlin

The attacker has found himself on the sidelines in recent weeks, a decision Tomlin today described as “spot on”.

As a further disappointment, the 28-year-old has been struck down by illness, restricting the amount of training he can do ahead of tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie at Burnley (3pm).

Speaking on Bristol City Player HD, Tomlin said: “I keep getting little niggly injuries and I don’t think I’ve been 100 per cent since the first couple of months of the season.

“It’s stopped me from being sharp so I’m not happy with that.

“I’m an honest guy and nothing’s happened with the gaffer. We get on well and he’s told me a few times that he doesn’t think I’m quite at it and it’s the right decision to leave me out.

“It just comes at a hard time in the season because we haven’t won in a while.

“I totally understand why I’ve been left out. He has to pick certain games to play certain players and that’s exactly right.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you can do, if you’re not doing it then you don’t play. I’m no different to anyone else – the gaffer is spot on not to play me.

“My own form is annoying. Everyone trains hard every day and you put your body under a lot of stress.

“It’s just been so difficult and when we’re not winning games as well, it just adds to it.

“The lads are miles good enough for this league. We were buzzing at the start of the season. Everyone has a dip – perhaps ours has been longer than most, but we can turn it around.”

The match is all-ticket for visiting supporters.