Johnson relishing Robins return

Johnson, unbeaten in six matches since being appointed Barnsley head coach at the end of last month, made 174 appearances during six years as a player at City when his dad, Gary, was manager.

The former midfielder won promotion to the Championship with City in 2007 and was a beaten play-off finalist with them the following season and unlike his recent return to another of his former clubs Oldham, who he left for Oakwell, Johnson is not expecting any vitriol from City's fans at Ashton Gate.

"It's a good club," he said. "It reminds me of here really. There's good people around the place, similar size stadium, I'd say Barnsley were one-up in terms of the percentage of fans that come to watch from the town.

"Bristol's a sleeping giant that's never really got to the heights it should have done as far as the size of the city, I think it's the fourth or fifth biggest city.

"But I loved it there. I went with my dad, which was difficult because you've got to get over those nepotism shouts, but when we went there we were in the bottom four and by the end of the season we got promoted to the Championship and then the following season we lost in the play-off final.

"I've a lot of good friends there and for me personally it's nice to be able to go back and see the old faces.

"It's our toughest game yet since I've been here yes. If you look at their individual quality, one-v-one, they've got the best group of individuals in the division, but they have got weaknesses."