TYRELL Robinson remains out of the picture at City, David Hopkin has confirmed.

The winger is still suspended by the club since being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault six weeks ago.

Michael Collins was in charge at the time of Robinson’s arrest and Hopkin stressed he has not spoken with the player, who made sub appearances in the first two games of the season.

He said: “Tyrell’s still suspended by the club and that will remain the case until everything is finished. That’s where we are just now.

“Things happened before I came and all I know is that he is suspended until further notice.

“That’s all I can say on it and we need to wait to see what happens.”

Hopkin’s options against Bristol Rovers tomorrow afternoon will be boosted by the return of Kelvin Mellor. The right back has trained for the last two days after three weeks out with a hamstring strain.

With Mellor available, the Scot may stick with the back-four system he switched to in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek.

Hopkin admits the priority is to keep a clean sheet – something City have managed only twice in the opening nine league games.

“Clean sheets are a must now because we’ve got players at the top end of the pitch who can score goals,” added the head coach.

“People are saying about whether it should be a back three or back four, but the other night was the same thing again.

“We’re caught out of position and then we’re 1-0 down.

“We played against a very good frontline in Everton’s kids and even the midfield were making runs beyond us. Then we switched off for a mistake again.

“These are things I’ve spoken to the players about.

“But the mental strength is getting there and the fitness. Players are starting to know that if we do go a goal down we can go on – and in the 92nd minute we scored a great goal and ended up winning the game on penalties.

“Things like that can turn your season and hopefully it will because we’ve got players at the top end of the park that will score us goals.”

Jake Reeves has been running with physio Chris Royston and could be ready to re-join the squad in training next week.

But Hopkin insists he will not jettison the youngsters who are getting their chance now from his plans once there are more senior players available.

He added: “I said when I came that if players catch the eye in training, I’m prepared to play them and I’ll shuffle the team about to give them a chance.

“You saw the other night with young Eliot (Goldthorp). I could have made two or three changes but I wanted to put him on and thought he was excellent.

“These things give everybody else a boost.

“I keep reiterating to the young players that they’re playing for a fantastic club with fantastic training facilities.

“You’re playing in a league now where you won’t see five or six 19-year-olds in the same team – and we’ve been competitive in all the games and unlucky in some.

“I’m sure when we get a couple of older players back, the younger ones will still perform and if they are still playing well, they’ll stay in the squad.”