Nigel Pearson has confirmed Matty James will hand Bristol City a timely return ahead of tomorrow's clash with West Brom but Kal Naismith is likely to remain sidelined.
James has sat out of the Robins' last five games following the international break after undergoing a minor operation on his groin. City have certainly missed his presence in midfield, winning just one of those matches.
It's the 31-year-old's second injury of the season after picking up a calf problem following the opening game at Hull. The Robins have failed to win six out of the 10 matches he hasn't featured including the dip in form following the international break.
His team-mate Naismith is struggling with a groin injury that saw him limp off in the 0-0 draw with Coventry. He has missed the last three matches, allowing Timm Klose to return to central defence and a return to take on Reading next weekend looks most likely.
Following the 2-1 loss against Millwall, Pearson said: "Matty James will be available for midweek, he could have been on the bench today (Saturday) but I think he would have gained more from training two or three extra days.
"Kal, I think the midweek game is too early he could be available for the Reading game but we'll see."
James' return will give Pearson welcome selection decisions to take on a rejuvenated West Brom who started their post-Steve Bruce era with a victory away at Reading on Saturday. With Joe Williams starting two games in four days, James is likely to come straight back into the fold alongside Alex Scott although Andy King and Dylan Kadji remain options.
At the back, Tomas Kalas' return after seven months out injured proved a welcome boost despite being partially culpable for Millwall's winner following a mix-up with Max O'Leary. Whether he's ready to start remains to be seen but Pearson did admit changes will need to be made including a potential change in how he will set up.
"We will have to see how they are this week," he added. "There will be some decisions to make going into this week with two away games, (including) how we set up and we've not exactly set the world alight with our attacking play and that's been our biggest strength all season."
City's forwards haven't scored in 390 minutes of football since Nahki Wells' strike against Queens Park Rangers. They managed just one shot on target against Millwall with Antoine Semenyo and Tommy Conway leading the line.
Pearson could be tempted to bring Wells back into the fold having started the last two matches on the bench and may reunite him alongside Conway after their prolific partnership before the international break.
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