Lucic In For First Championship Start

Ivan Lucic starts in goal at the expense of the injured Frank Fielding (hip), while experienced duo Gary O’Neil and Lee Tomlin are also back in the starting line-up.

Scott Golbourne drops to the bench, while Korey Smith is absent with a stomach condition.

Visitors Preston include former City pair Greg Cunningham and Callum Robinson in their XI.

Bristol City: Lucic, Matthews, Flint, Magnusson, Bryan, O’Neil, Pack, Freeman, Reid, Tomlin, Abraham. Subs: O’Donnell, Moore, Brownhill, O’Dowda, Paterson, Engvall, Wilbraham.

Preston North End: Maxwell, Baptiste, Clarke, Huntington, Cunningham, McGeady, Pearson, Browne, Johnson, Robinson, Makienok. Subs: Lindegaard, Wright, Spurr, Vermijl, Grimshaw, Pringle, Hugill.

Referee: Mr S Hooper.