Andrew Davies insists he will be ready to throw his body on the line when City’s League One adventure kicks off at Bristol City.

The powerful centre half came through unscathed from his first pre-season action against Bohemians and is likely to line up for more at Grimsby tomorrow.

Davies played the first half of Saturday’s 4-1 win in Dublin, which brought down the curtain on City’s week of training in Ireland.

He said: “It was nice to get out. Pre-season is all about being out there and getting your timing back and I feel absolutely fine.

“I could have played another 45 but the manager’s obviously thinking of Grimsby and next week.

“I’ve had a few little niggles but they’ve cleared up now. I work hard every day and the fitness coach and physio have been great with me.

“We’ve got another game tomorrow and one more Saturday before it starts all over again. Hopefully I can come through the next couple of friendlies and then it’s Bristol here we come.”

Bohs provided a physical edge to City’s third warm-up game and Davies was happy to get stuck in on a couple of occasions.

“I don’t mind all that,” he added. “I’ve been in League Two now for two seasons so that’s nothing.

“Pre-season results don’t really matter. It’s about the lads getting through games comfortably and I don’t think half of us broke sweat.

“It was a good trip again. The weather was obviously hotter this year but the facilities have been great and the people at the hotel have really looked after us.

“We’ve got a few new players coming in but the manager’s not daft. He’s bringing in players who he knows are going to improve us and they are good lads.

“It’s important to gel all the lads because the season starts in less than two weeks, which will come round really quickly. We’ll all be ready for Bristol.”

Youth-team duo Jack Stockdill and Niall Heaton were the only outfield players to stay on for the full game.

Phil Parkinson was delighted with the efforts of the two rookies, as well as teenage striker Louie Swain, who scored the third goal.

The City chief said: “I’ve got to pick out the youngsters – Jack Stockdill’s tacking in midfield and his energy, Louie’s determination and big Niall at the back. That spread through the team.

“It was so refreshing to see. They’d trained with us all week so we decided to give them a go and thought they were excellent.

“There were plenty of challenges going round and it was a decent work-out considering the pitch was poor.

“The goal we conceded was a bit sloppy but the attitude was good.

“It’s been a really good week. The hotel staff have treated us well and the pitch we’ve trained on has been first class.”

Parkinson has not revealed his decision on the two trialists who joined City for the week.

Winger Raffaele De Vita, who sat out Saturday with a tight calf through fatigue, has caught the eye in previous friendlies. Gary Woods is still waiting to find out if he has done enough for the second goalkeeper’s spot.