STUART McCall admits it is getting tougher to leave players out of his City plans.

Tony McMahon rejoined full training yesterday after recovering from a torn thigh muscle.

The utility player, in excellent form at right back before his injury, will be desperate to feature in his first squad for ten weeks at Wimbledon on Saturday.

That will increase the selection headache for McCall, who is finding it a challenge to fit everyone into a team beaten only once in their opening 15 games.

McCall said: "The biggest thing for me is not leaving players out of the 11 because you've got to pick a side that you think can go and win it.

"But it's leaving them out the 18 altogether when they don't deserve it.

"I had to do that to Nathan Clarke last week down at Oxford. Clarkie had done nothing to not be included in the 18 – and it was the same with Danny Devine the other night. That is more difficult for me.

"I don't mind leaving people out of the 11 because they've still got the opportunity to come on and make an impact on the game.

"Give me a healthy, fit 18-man squad any day because it makes my job easier!"

McCall has made four changes in each of City's last two games against Southend and Sheffield United – and did not use any of his substitutes in the 3-3 draw against the Blades.

Marc McNulty was not given permission to feature against his parent club but he will come back into the frame at Kingsmeadow on the back of scoring his first City goal last Tuesday.

McCall said: "McNulty was naturally disappointed not to be able to play. He's had a stop-start time and he was buzzing after his goal – but that's life and he's got to get over it.

"I'm sure there will be plenty of further opportunities for Marc in the coming weeks and months. It's going to be a long season and there are plenty of people chomping at the bit to get involved.

"But it works both ways. Sometimes you say you've got a big enough squad so you should be using them to keep them all involved.

"If players aren't starting, they've still got to be right and make sure they are ready to come off that bench. I think the lads all realise that we've got a strong squad in terms of depth.

"When we've had Saturday and Tuesday games, we give a couple of people a breather like we did with Billy Clarke, Tim Dieng and Jordy Hiwula against Southend (and they all scored on Saturday).

"Sometimes it does players good to have a sit-out for a little bit."