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Having posted just two wins from 13 matches before the World Cup break, Nigel Pearson is aware that he can ill-afford more poor form from his side ahead of January.
However, the Robins produced a much-needed improve display last time out to register a 3-1 victory over Rotherham United, catapulting the club into 16th position.
Although just three points remain between themselves and the relegation zone, Bristol City now have some momentum having put together a three-match unbeaten run.
There is only a further three points to 11th place, highlighting the narrow margins that are involved between a promotion bid and a battle to avoid the drop.
Nevertheless, Pearson will attempt to remain in the present with Bristol City having failed to win any of their last four league matches at Ashton Gate.
Andreas Weimann is an injury doubt for Bristol City after sustaining an ankle injury last weekend, forcing the Austria international off in the second half.
While his participation may lead to an unchanged XI, Zak Vyner and Jay Dasilva are both expected to return to the squad after illness.
Despite the disappointment of only drawing with Cardiff, Neil will give consideration to making no alterations to his Stoke XI.
Nick Powell may get the nod ahead of Will Smallbone in a creative role behind Liam Delap, but Souttar should continue in central defence after proving his fitness after a knee injury.
Goalkeeper Jack Bonham is expected to keep his place ahead of Josef Bursik between the sticks.
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O’Leary; Tanner, King, Naismith; Weimann, Williams, James, Scott, Pring; Conway, Wells
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Clarke, Souttar, Wilmot, Tymon; Baker, Thompson; Campbell, Smallbone, Fosu-Henry; Delap
In the week that the Bulls lost their most famous ex-player, FA Cup legend Ronnie Radford – 50 years on from his iconic match-winning goal against Newcastle – it briefly looked like there might be some left-over magic in the air.
For seven minutes, the sixth-tier outfit led after Miles Storey’s goal against the team 81 places above them in the English football pyramid in League One.
But Pompey hit back, with Reeco Hackett quickly levelling before second-half goals from Colby Bishop and substitute Joe Pigott earned the twice FA Cup winners a safe passage to Monday’s second-round draw
Making their first trip to Edgar Street in 38 years, Pompey were given a good first-half workout by the fired-up hosts.
Although home keeper Dale Eve had to keep out Hackett’s left-foot curler bound for the top corner, Pompey had a first real scare when Bishop’s challenge on Hereford’s former million-pound marksman Tyrone Barnett in the visitors’ penalty box went unpunished.
And there was worse to follow for Pompey when Hereford took the lead on 26 minutes.
Sean Raggett played a loose pass inside to Hackett, who was immediately closed down and robbed by Storey – and the former Pompey player raced away down the inside-left channel before keeping his cool to nutmeg on-loan West Bromwich Albion keeper Josh Griffiths.
Fittingly, just two days on from the announcement of the sad passing of Hereford’s legendary number 11, their modern-day number 11 emulated his predecessor.
There had already been a minute’s silence, which cascaded into applause from the whole ground, followed by chants of ‘there’s only one Ronnie Radford’ when the clock showed 11 minutes.
But this goal was destined not to prove so famous.
Ronan Curtis headed down Connor Ogilvie’s far-post cross for Hackett to bring down and fire home coolly from six yards.
On 63 minutes, Portsmouth took the lead when, from Clark Robertson’s in-swinging right-foot corner from the left, Bishop timed his run to get there first and head his 10th goal of the season.
And Pigott wrapped up victory 10 minutes from time when, again from a corner by skipper Robertson, Bishop won the initial header before Pigott reacted sharpest to sidefoot home
Hereford FC boss Josh Gowling told BBC Sport:
“I’m really disappointed because we should have got something out of it, but goals change games – and the quality of the delivery they have changes games.
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“In the first half we were excellent. We were in the ascendancy and they looked nervous.
“We were on top and looked like we could go on and win, but we’ve made one mistake, it has cost us a goal and that’s the difference in levels.
“We’ve given them a leg up and a little lift and you could see their performance raise after that.”
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley told BBC Sport:
“I was so sad to hear the news about Ronnie Radford. He was such an iconic figure and he had that iconic moment. For a lot of people my age, his famous goal was their first memories of the FA Cup. But what a brilliant night to celebrate his life