Latest Bristol City news as Bristol Live brings you the team that will face Sheffield United in the first leg of the play-off semi-finalLiam Manning and Bristol City are 270 minutes away from the Premier League(Image: Photo by Ian Cook – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Liam Manning has made one change to the Bristol City team that drew with Preston North End on the final day of the season for the first leg of the Robins’ play-off semi-final clash with Sheffield United.

The Reds are competing in the Championship play-offs for the first time in 17 years after their place in the top six was confirmed in the minutes following their 2-2 draw with Paul Heckingbottom’s side last Saturday. Although Manning’s side could have made it easier for themselves with a win, Blackburn Rovers’ draw with Sheffield United ensured City weren’t made to regret their dropped points.

Although the Robins squad has been stretched by injury over the second half of the season, with the likes of Luke McNally, Mark Sykes and Cam Pring spending time on the treatment table, Manning has manage

READ MORE: Bristol-born boss Ian Holloway makes ‘proud’ Bristol City admission ahead of play-off campaignREAD MORE: Bristol City vs Sheffield United live: Updates, build-up and team news from Ashton Gate

In what is expected to be the 3-4-2-1 formation deployed against North End, Max O’Leary makes his 48th competitive start of the season between the posts and will have a back three of Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie and George Tanner ahead of him.

Ahead of the defensive unit, Joe Williams is fit and able to partner Jason Knight in the middle of the park and the two central midfielders will be flanked on either side by Ross McCrorie and Yu Hirakawa. Just ahead of the midfield cohort, it will be Anis Mehmeti who starts alongside Max Bird, with Scott Twine the only man to drop to the bench.

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Finally, it is who Nahki Wells leads the line once again, with Sinclair Armstrong the alternative striking option available from the bench, if and when required.

Despite his limited options, Manning does have alternatives to turn to on the bench with Twine, Armstrong, George Earthy, Sam Bell and Elijah Morrison among the players he can call upon.

Bristol City: Max O’Leary; Zak Vyner, Rob Dickie, George Tanner; Ross McCrorie, Joe Williams, Jason Knight, Yu Hirakawa; Anis Mehmeti, Max Bird; Nahki Wells

Subs:Stefan Bajic, Cam Pring, Scott Twine, Sam Bell, Haydon Roberts, Harry Cornick, Marcus McGuane, Sinclair Armstrong, George Earthy

READ MORE: I spent five-and-a-half years at Bristol City – Reds are full of confidence ahead of play-offsREAD MORE: Jason Knight: ‘Still a long way to go but Premier League was goal when I came to Bristol City’