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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Max Baker

Why Dan Bentley missed his first league game this season for Bristol City against Millwall

Lee Johnson has made six changes for Bristol City this afternoon as his side face Millwall at the Den.

Perhaps the most surprising and unexpected of the changes is Dan Bentley in goal.

The former Brentford man has played every minute of Championship football for the Robins this season but is not in the match day squad today.

That's because the keeper has picked up a knock and isn't fit to face Gary Rowett's side.

He has been replaced in between the sticks by Niki Maenpaa for his first Championship game this season after being replaced by Bentley as the first choice keeper.

Jojo Wolacott keeps his place on the bench being the home grown player that City need to keep in the squad.

Speaking before the game, Dean Holden said: "Yeah Bents unfortunately picked up a little niggle in training yesterday so Niki comes in. Nothing too serious.

"Talk about players waiting for their opportunity, he's trained phenomenally every single day. A long time now without an opportunity and his opportunity comes today.

"He's a top goalkeeper and no qualms at all about Niki coming into the team."

Lee Johnson makes five other changes to his side ahead of the Lions test after the poor performance against Huddersfield Town and all three new signings miss out on the starting XI.

Jack Hunt, Markus Henriksen, Nahki Wells, Tommy Rowe and Filip Benkovic all miss out after starting against the Terriers and in come Adam Nagy, Korey Smith, Callum O'Dowda, Andi Weimann and Pedro Pereira.

There is no room in match day squad for Rowe, Henrisken or Kasey Palmer, with Niclas Eliasson, Ashley Williams and Han-Noah Massengo filling the other places on the bench.

City have lost four of their last five games and Lee Johnson has had to ring the changes as he searches for the right formula to change their fortunes.

Korey Smith returns to the starting XI after a knee injury kept him out in recent weeks but is ready to lead the side as captain today.

Holden said: "Fantiastic to have Korey back. Trained well this week and is ready for action."

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