Kris is a danger for Bristol

Richard Keogh has warned his Bristol City colleagues to beware the ‘fantastic talent’ that is Kris Commons when they visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday.Commons and Keogh were team-mates during their time at Stoke City and the Irishman knows exactly what to expect when first meets second in the League One match of the day at the City Ground.

A flying left winger, Commons has arguably been Forest’s player of the season so far.

And Keogh, who is set to win another Republic of Ireland under-21 cap tomorrow night, feels shackling the play-maker will be vital if City are to triumph.

Keogh said: ‘I was at Stoke with Krissie and he is a fantastic talent with great ability and he will be a massive threat.

‘He is doing brilliantly for Forest at the moment. He has great technical ability and he is two-footed.

‘That means you don’t know which way to try to push him and you think you have got him on his weaker side but it’s not.

‘He has the ability to cross the ball or shoot from long range.

‘I’ll be having a chat with him on Saturday before the game and hopefully I can talk him into having a stinker!’

The importance of the clash with Forest is not lost on the youngster.

‘It’s first versus second and I am sure there will be a massive crowd and I am sure it might be a bit intimidating for some young players.

‘But I know our lads will be able to handle it.’

Keogh flew out to join his Irish team-mates yesterday afternoon for a friendly international with their Luxembourg counterparts.

Keogh had been left out of the previous international double-header so the former Stoke man’s call-up was a timely boost as he had been omitted from the City team which beat Crewe 2-1 at the weekend.

‘Having played the last ten games or so and done OK I wanted to stay in the team but you have to take the ups and downs and it is good to have a game this week,’ he said.

‘I always want to play for my country so it will be nice to be involved again.’

Keogh will therefore miss tomorrow night’s reserve game against Swansea City at Port Talbot.

Meanwhile, as reported in later editions of yesterday’s Post, City chairman Steve Lansdown has ruled out the prospect of opening the Wedlock Stand for all home fans.

A banner was paraded during Saturday’s win over Crewe at Ashton Gate asking the club to open what fans consider to be the club’s traditional home, the East End.

Lansdown said: ‘For the moment the East End is going to remain as it is.

‘I have made the decision. The East End is for away supporters, the Fans of the Future scheme (Under-16s accompanied by adults) and as an overflow facility when required.’ Lansdown insisted opening the stand to all home fans would be a ‘catalyst for trouble’ and added that the police would ‘fight tooth and nail against it’.