Michael Bridges admits he's currently playing the waiting game but is desperate to play his part in the closing weeks of the season.

Bridges has made just one appearance in the first team since returning from a loan spell with Sydney in January, as a substitute in the 5-0 win against Southampton, and although a place on the bench offers his best hope of being involved against Barnsley tonight, the striker says he will wait patiently for his next opportunity.

"I just have to keep working hard and wait for my chance," said Bridges.

"I can't grumble at the moment because the lads have been doing well. The likes of Caleb Folan have been coming off the bench and scoring goals. I'm not the fussy, sulky type and if the rest of the lads are performing then I can have no complaints.

"It's a case of waiting for my turn and there have been a few injuries in the last few games. Unfortunately, Richard Garcia has picked up a dislocation and I'm gutted for him, but I'll have to wait and see whether or not that gives me a sniff of making the bench tonight.

"If not, I'll be there to support the boys and to encourage them to try and finish top of this league."

From his watching brief, Bridges has been impressed with the level of performance in recent weeks, despite the relative disappointment of a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

"Getting a point when you've not played particularly well is a good sign. If you look back a few weeks, Bristol City were the side that were scoring in the last minute to take points from games and it's something that keeps you in the hunt.

"When you're at the bottom, those things don't go for you but when you're at the top they do more often than not.

"But it's a Yorkshire derby tonight and you can never predict what's going to happen in those.

"Barnsley look as though they're safe now, but that doesn't mean they won't turn up and perform.

"They've bounced back really well from their Wembley defeat and put a couple of good wins together.

"We put in a terrible performance at their place last season, but the lads are in the right frame of mind now because we've played well all season.

"The incentive is there for us because we know a win could take us top. That is massive and I don't think you need to say anything more to the players."