LEAGUE One’s race for the top six still involves as many as 14 clubs according to Stuart McCall.

City travel to tenth-placed Bristol Rovers, who currently sit three points off the final play-off spot.

But McCall believes there are teams in the lower half of the table who could still be in the mix.

McCall said: “You look at Oxford who are 13th and Charlton who are making noises about making the play-offs. You wouldn’t rule them out.

“At the start of the season, I could see 12-14 teams being involved. We’re in February now and that hasn’t changed.

“We know we’re a match for anybody on our day. But I’m sure there are other managers who have got that self-belief in their group because there are a lot of squads with similar ability.

“I always keep my ear to the ground with other clubs and I know Bristol Rovers have that desire to be in the top six.

“They’ve won five in a row at home and will bring their own challenge.”

But Darrell Clarke’s side will be playing at the Memorial Stadium for the first time since talismanic goalscorer Matty Taylor made the controversial move to Bristol City.

McCall added: “Naturally it might be loss for them but I don’t think Taylor had scored too many recently.

“They won a game 5-0 against Northampton last month when Ellis Harrison got four and Taylor didn’t score.

“You will miss a striker like that but one goes out and it gives an opportunity for someone else.”

After three successive Tuesday trips, City have taken full advantage of a free work to step up training.

McCall added: “We’ve managed to open the pitch up and play 11 v 11. It’s been good to see the new boys having that room.

“I’ve said it before – and it’s not flannel – but the quality being shown in training gives us a lift. The lads want to improve and stay on the training ground past 2pm.”

Nathaniel Knight-Percival is back with the group after three games out with an injured ankle and McCall is optimistic Alex Jones could be rejoining training within a fortnight.

He has had an anti-inflammatory injection in the problem area of his hip.

McCall said: “We’ll rest him for a few days and it would be nice to think he’ll be back in ten to 14 days.”