Carey is banned after picking up too many yellow cards

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson has rejected criticism of his refusal to bring in loan players and says his side will cope with Louis Carey's absence.

Captain Carey is suspended for the trip to QPR and the home game against play-off rivals Preston on 4 April.

"It won't affect our confidence," Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We've a small squad because I wanted everyone to feel if somebody's out they can come in rather than me going out and getting loans all over the place."

Johnson opted for a three-man defence at home to Cardiff, but could revert to a 4-4-2 formation with Liam Fontaine partnering Jamie McCombe in the heart of the defence while bolstering his midfield.

"Whenever we don't win a game I read articles and websites that say I've got to go out and get a loan, get this, get the other," Johnson added.

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"But this group of lads are the ones that have got us this far and I'm showing faith in them to take us as far as we can go this season.

"We don't know where we're going to end up yet, but once again this group have put us in a challenging position with only seven games to go."

• City defender Jordan Walker looks set to be sidelined for the remainder of 2009 after tearing his cruciate knee ligament.

It is the second time in as many seasons the 19-year-old has suffered the injury and Johnson told the club website: "Everyone is devastated for him."

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