City have been warned that no place is safe after Craig Fagan was axed in midweek.

With a hectic schedule approaching, Phil Parkinson is ready to chop and change to keep players fresh.

Fagan had been captain in Michael Flynn’s absence but then found himself out of the team completely against Port Vale.

Having played 19 league games, there were rumours that a further one would trigger a clause for a new deal. But City confirmed there was no such clause in the striker’s contract.

Parkinson said the change was for football reasons – and has told the squad that he will shake things up during the marathon run of games coming up.

He said: “I’ve told the lads that we’ve got a big squad now with players coming back. There will be players who find themselves out for whatever reason and they’ve got to react the right way.

“I just decided to leave Craig out the other night and because of the make-up of the bench, he didn’t make that.

“I looked at a few things and then made the call.

“But it’s a squad effort and he’s going to be a big part of it.”

Fagan is competing with Deane Smalley to replace James Hanson as target man.

City’s top scorer went for a scan this afternoon on his injured adductor muscle but the club are hopeful it will not be too serious.

Parkinson added: “It gives us a selection problem but we have got players to fill that role. We’ve got a few options going into the game and we’ll have a look at everybody.”