West Brom v Bristol City: Returning players give Robins depth heading to Albion

Currently sitting just five points below Albion in the table - the Robins have had a good season so far, picking up superb results against Leeds, and victories away from home against Middlesbrough and Norwich City.

Despite just one win in their last seven outings heading to The Hawthorns on Sunday, Manning's side sit just in the top half - which is where you would expect a Bristol City side to be.

But it has been a difficult campaign both on and off the pitch.

Back in October, Manning took compassionate leave from the club due to the death of his newborn son Theo, which presented a difficult period of the pitch for the manager, but also for his players.

Manning returned to the Ashton Gate dugout, but has had to contend with having some of his key players out of action.

Ross McCrorie has just recently returned to following a spell out, as well as Scott Twine.

The playmaker, who made his name at MK Dons before a big money move to Burnley, has consistently proven that on his day he can be out of the best midfielders in the division.

He signed permanently for the Robins back in the summer for £4m, after loan spells at Hull and then Ashton Gate for the second half of last season.

Manning is happy to now have a bit of depth back in his side as they face a busy festive period, with the trip to Albion on Sunday, following by fixtures against Luton, Portsmouth and Plymouth over Christmas.

He said: "Yeah, we've got depth, good to have Ross (McCrorie) back, good to have Twiney back, and George Tanner is close. 

"We're going to need the bodies and ultimately people are going to have to step up because now what we've got is options to change it."