Bristol City team news v Reading: Nigel Pearson excludes ex-Aston Villa striker from XI

Nigel Pearson has named an unchanged Bristol City team for their Championship clash with Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

The Robins won 2-0 against West Bromwich Albion in midweek and Pearson has rewarded the players that did their job against the Baggies. Matty James retains the captaincy after donning the armband on his return to the side in midweek.

Tomas Kalas, who returned to the City matchday squad last week after a seven-month absence, is not included in the match-day squad and is replaced by Cameron Pring. Pring played a part in City’s goal against Millwall with his cross being turned in for an own goal. He did not feature in the 18-man squad at The Hawthorns in the week.

Last season’s top scorer Andi Weimann remains a substitute. Pearson admitted that the Austrian needed a ‘breather’ as a result of the consecutive run of games he has played for club and country. It is just the third time of Pearson’s tenure that he has named the 31-year-old as a substitute.

Max O’Leary holds the number one shirt for the fourth consecutive game in a row after displacing club captain Daniel Bentley. Stefan Bajic, who wasn’t part of the Under-21’s team yesterday is not included in the squad. Han-Noah Massengo who played against Ipswich’s Under-21’s is not included.

Zak Vyner is the right-sided centre-back with Timm Klose in the centre and Rob Atkinson to the left of him. Mark Sykes and Jay Dasilva are on the respective flanks as wing-backs.

In the centre of midfield looks to remain a flat three with Joe Williams, James and Alex Scott. Up front is the strike partnership of Antoine Semenyo and Nahki Wells, who are beginning to get an understanding of one anothers game.

The rest of the substitutes for City are George Tanner, player-coach Andy King, Tommy Conway and Chris Martin.

Bristol City (3-5-2): Max O’Leary; Zak Vyner, Timm Klose, Robert Atkinson; Mark Sykes, Matty James (C), Alex Scott, Joe Williams; Antoine Semenyo and Nahki Wells.

Substitutes: Daniel Bentley, Cameron Pring, George Tanner, Andy King, Andi Weimann, Tommy Conway and Chris Martin.