CHRISTOPHER Routis won’t be picked for his goal-scoring - despite his late equaliser salvaging a point for City in midweek.

The popular Frenchman chose the perfect moment to net for the first time in English football when he smashed home a half-volley to stun leaders Bristol City.

Routis is fast becoming a firm favourite among the Valley Parade faithful with his cultured touch and composure on the ball – even if the occasional over-elaboration may leave Phil Parkinson watching through closed fingers.

The City boss is a big fan of his versatility, a useful quality in the more streamlined squad that Parkinson now presides over.

Routis has already featured at centre half, centre midfield and right back in his fledgling City career.

With skipper Stephen Darby available again at Boundary Park, it seems likely that Routis will be on the move once more.

The latest calf setback for Andrew Davies would appear to open the door in the middle. But Alan Sheehan filled in impressively at Ashton Gate when called off the bench.

Routis, who made his City debut against Oldham in the JP Trophy, admitted: “I don’t know if I am in the team. I scored a goal but it’s not because of that I will play tomorrow.

“I have to be very good in training to show the coach and then hopefully I will play.

“The coach says I’m a versatile player. I can play on the right, he also put me in the middle once at home and I can play centre back.

“I want to play but the coach has a lot of possibilities and I’m sure he will make the right decision for the team.

“Dava’s injured but we don’t know if it’s for long. I hope not because he’s a very important player for us.”

Routis hopes his goal flying in via the underside of the bar will signal a change of fortune for City, who had been cursing the woodwork this week.

“We hit it two times at Bristol,” he added, “and we did the same on Saturday when we played with ten after Darby got the red card.

“Mine touched the bar but this one went in for a change. So I hope our luck has changed now.

“I was very happy to score my first goal for Bradford City. But it was better that we got the point.

“It was more important that the team reacted after losing two games. Barnsley was a big game for the fans because it’s a derby and then we lost at home, which I hate.

“The team have already lost too many at home and we must make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

“So Bristol was a very big game for us after that and we were really pleased with the result. It was important mentally.”

Routis also felt that justice was done with his equaliser coming hot on the heels of Bristol City’s disputed second goal.

Aiden Flint cashed in after Jordan Pickford spilled a corner but the visitors were adamant that City’s keeper had been nudged unfairly in the back by home defender Derrick Williams.

Routis said: “We have to protect the keeper more. Their player didn’t see the ball but just went into Jordan.

“In France or Switzerland, the ref would give the foul. But in England that doesn’t always happen.

“But it was a good result because they have not lost this year.

“Now it’s very important to play as well against Oldham. They are on a good run but we will be ready for that.”