Bristol City and Liam Manning welcome Sheffield United to Ashton Gate on Thursday evening for the first leg of their play-off semi-finalCam Pring has missed Bristol City’s last two matches(Image: Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Liam Manning admits there is a “slight possibility” that Cam Pring could feature for Bristol City in the play-offs ahead of the Reds’ clash with Sheffield United, while his side came through their final-day draw with Preston North End without any new injury issues.

City welcome Chris Wilder’s side to Ashton Gate on Thursday evening for the first leg of what is their first Championship play-off appearance in 17 years. Although the two clubs were separated by just a matter of places in the regular season, the Blades were 22 points better off than the Robins, ultimately finishing 10 points adrift of Burnley and automatic promotion.

Manning’s side come into the semi-final clash without a win in their last three matches, having only managed to draw against Preston last time out. However, the pressure is now off of the Reds, with most viewing them as outsiders in the battle for promotion to the Premier League.

READ MORE: Liam Manning lifts lid on Jason Knight’s development as Bristol City skipper lands two awardsREAD MORE: Liam Manning makes Joe Williams comparison as he addresses Nahki Wells’ Bristol City future

Pring has missed each of the Robins’ last two games after he sustained a hamstring injury just 20 minutes into City’s Easter Monday defeat to Luton Town. While Manning suggested the issue would see the left-sided defender sidelined for “a few weeks” after the Reds received the result of his scan, the head coach hasn’t completely closed the door on him being involved in the play-offs in some capacity.

“There’s a slight possibility,” the Reds boss replied when asked if Pring could feature at some stage in the play-offs. “I think there’s a risk with all of it, so we have to make that decision and weigh up the risk.

“We have to see how he is, how he responds and whether that’s possible or not.”

City and Manning have been operating with a small playing squad since the January transfer window. While the Robins didn’t make a single addition during the winter, they did allow all of Rob Atkinson, Fally Mayulu and Kal Naimsith to depart on loan. Those three exits, partnered with season-ending injuries to both Luke McNally and Mark Sykes, have meant that the Reds have been down to their bare bones in recent weeks.

Bristol City Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

On top of that, Manning and his coaching staff have had to carefully manage both Joe Williams and Scott Twine since the March international break. Williams has been contending with a quad issue that has limited him to just one start in the Robins’ last three matches, while Twine ended a six-game spell away from the starting line-up against Preston last time out, having recently struggled with a groin injury that will require surgery come the end of the season.

Although the City head coach didn’t go into details about either of the two players, he was quick to suggest that the playing squad had come through unscathed ahead of the visit of Wilder and the Blades.

“Everyone’s come through Saturday okay,” Manning explained. “It’s one of those where we’ve got everyone through today, and you’re not chasing too much now.

Sign up for our City newsletter

Bristol City are fighting to secure their place in the play-off places and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Robins, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

“It’s more just prep work, tactical work, clarity in what the game plan is and keeping everybody in the best place possible.”

While the gap between the two sides in the Championship table was stark come the end of the regular season, the Robins performed well in both of their matches against the Blades. It took a stoppage time winner from Harrison Burrows for United to claim all three points at Ashton Gate, while Sykes struck late at Bramall Lane to help the Reds to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture just a matter of weeks ago.

Manning will be hopeful that, even with their stretched squad, City will be able to get a result later this week so that they can carry a lead into the second leg in the Steel City.

READ MORE: Time to get Ashton Gate bouncing as Bristol City show guts needed to end 17-year play-off hiatusREAD MORE: Ross McCrorie: ‘I came to Bristol City because I saw something, to secure top six is incredible’