Steve Claridge today called for calm amid growing fears of a relegation dogfight at Valley Parade.

City currently sit just four points above the drop zone after Saturday's loss at basement boys MK Dons.

Only six points separate Colin Todd's men in mid-table from Rotherham, who are second from bottom - a gap covering half the teams in League One.

Blackpool, one of those sides sandwiched in that group, are the next opponents as the tension continues to build.

But veteran hitman Claridge is preaching caution and insists nobody in the dressing room is losing their nerve.

Claridge said: "We aren't panicking yet. We are fully aware that it is close but nobody is thinking about being dragged down there. As much as there are a lot of teams between us and sixth place, there

are also a lot of teams between us and the bottom four.

"That's the way we've got to look at it. There are plenty of others behind us and not everyone is going to go on a run.

"Nobody is getting complacent about it but there is no need for any panic either. A couple of wins and the picture can change completely.

"But it was a big blow conceding a late goal like that on Saturday. The teams at the bottom need to be winning games so even a draw would have done us.

"The pressure is on the other sides to pick up three points and we thought we'd done enough to get something."

Claridge is back in the side to cover the absence of Dean Windass, who is banned until April 1, and the 39-year-old forward responded to his recall with his fifth goal of the season.

But he is still looking to open his account at home and hopes to have done enough to earn an extended chance while Windass is ruled out of Todd's plans.

Claridge said: "It's been a stop-start season for me. I've found it difficult to get any level of consistency because I've been in and out quite frequently.

"It was nice to get a start on Saturday and hopefully I'll get a bit of a run now which will maybe improve my sharpness. I enjoy playing and I don't think my goal ratio has been too bad.

"It was good to score again but it really doesn't matter in the end. It's far more important we get the points we need to make sure of staying up."

Ben Muirhead returned to training yesterday after his groin operation and may get thrown back into the fray straight away.

Todd said: "We'll see how he goes but there is a chance he could come back into the squad."