CITY will keep tabs on Nicky Law’s fitness as Stuart McCall admits this stage of the season can take its toll on the flair players.

Law has appeared in every league game so far since returning to Valley Parade in the summer, starting all bar one.

But he is nursing a knock picked up late in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with MK Dons that will be assessed ahead of the Peterborough clash.

The midfielder has been a bundle of energy for City this season but has not looked as influential in the last couple of outings.

McCall puts a lot of that down to the heavy pitches at Valley Parade and elsewhere.

The City boss said: “If I’m honest, the surfaces are more difficult for players who like to travel with the ball.

“For your creative players, when you get to this time of year it does become more of a challenge.

“He still has spells in games when he can produce that bit of magic to open teams up.

“But it’s easier for defenders to get tight and close them down.

“That’s a fact, not an excuse and there are a lot worse pitches than ours.

“Even though Port Vale’s surface wasn’t great, because it was a bigger area you get more time to bring the ball under control because people aren’t as near to you.”

Alex Gilliead admitted the way City try to play is not ideal on the tricky state of the home surface at present but they just have to battle through.

McCall added: “You maybe have to look to adapt your style both individually and collectively as a team. But again the other night, you saw the move that set up Mezza (James Meredith) for his chance. That came from some wonderful football.

“We just need to be adaptable and not play pretty stuff all the time.

“We need to go down the sides, go long and mix it up a bit.

“That’s what we’ve asked for. But it does make it more testing.”

Stephen Darby will miss out again with a nerve problem in his arm but Mark Marshall has trained ok.