CHRIS Routis is poised for his first league action since October as City shake up the pack against Crawley tonight.

Phil Parkinson wants to “reinvigorate” his team at Valley Parade after back-to-back away defeats.

City will make a late call on James Hanson, after he trained yesterday, but Parkinson has indicated he will turn to some of his fringe players.

Frenchman Routis has been out of the picture for nearly five months since being hauled off before half-time at Oldham after a torrid afternoon.

His only involvement in that time has been as a late sub in the FA Cup wins against Dartford, Millwall and Chelsea.

Parkinson said: “It’s an important game for us and I’m going to make changes.

“There are a few reasons for that – what’s gone on before, what’s coming up at the weekend and what’s after the weekend.

“I just felt that mentally we looked a bit flat on Saturday. We need to reinvigorate the dressing room.

“There are players who need a break and players who’ve been travelling up and down the country with us who deserve an opportunity. I just feel the time is right to shake up the pack.

“It’s for the lads who’ve not played more than anything because you get to a point if you’re Chris Routis, where you come up and down the country with us and wonder ‘is my chance ever going to come?’

“I just feel we need to get those lads going as well. But I’m picking the best team I feel can win this game.”

Parkinson believes the heavy schedule is beginning to have an impact – as well as the approaching FA Cup quarter-final against Reading.

But he insists the changes are not a sign that he is prioritising the weekend clash.

“Obviously the weekend and the schedule for the following week have a bearing but we’ve got to get ourselves going again. We’ve also had some terrible decisions go against us that don’t help.

“There’s no lack of effort. The lads have been exemplary in their professionalism and the way they’ve prepared for games.

“It’s not a massive thing. I just feel we need to spark ourselves into life again and we’ll try to do that by making a few changes.

“We’ve got to make sure that the lads coming in who haven’t played have trained well and will be ready.

“But it’s a Tuesday game after both teams have had a busy schedule. I can’t see it being a game of real intensity.”

Gary MacKenzie has recovered from the knee problem which kept him out on Saturday. City will also monitor Hanson after missing the last three games with a tight hamstring.

Hanson’s return is likely to mean a rest for Jon Stead.

Parkinson said: “Jon’s in that category of players who may get a break. We’ll see how he is.

“It’s that time of the year as well, not just because we’ve got a cup game coming up. We’ve got to trust everybody in the squad.”

City will also be keeping a close eye on the state of the pitch – there was surface water on some areas yesterday.