Bristol City are “chasing freshness” going into the final eight games of the season, says boss Liam Manning.
The team are in the heart of the play-off fight, lying seventh in the table and level on points with West Brom above them and two behind Coventry in fifth place.
They travel to Burnley on Saturday for their first fixture after the international break on a seven-game unbeaten run.
“You’re chasing freshness now, that’s the big bit,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.
“Early stages of the season, you can push the lads really hard in terms of pre-season, [then] roll into the games, you’re still building up the fitness, what they need to get through the season.
“Everything now is about being fresh on a Saturday, making sure we’ve got as many ready as possible and we’re in a good spot, it’s being a little bit more sensible how we manage the programme.”
The Robins have been given a boost for the final run-in by the return of defender Ross McCrorie from a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old has not played since the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City on 15 February.
“Ross McCrorie’s trained so he’s back in contention, which is good,” Manning said.
