Gabbiadini, whose late substitution in the 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic prompted howls of derision from City fans, is out of tomorrow's re-arranged trek to Bristol Rovers. He will likely miss Saturday's game at Preston North End.

The decision to hone his fitness was made today after a meeting between the striker and manager Alan Little, who hit back against the boo brigade who jeered the substitution of City's local hero.

Explained Little: "Gabbiadini is not fit. We have had a talk this morning and we are on the same track.

"Since he got injured in that first game against Watford he has been struggling. He has tried to battle on because he wants to play, but he agrees with me that he is not doing himself justice, nor the team."

Gabbiadini will now concentrate all his efforts getting back to 100 per cent fitness from his ankle injury. It is hoped he may be back for the visit of Fulham in 12 days' time.

City also face another major blow with winger Graeme Murty struggling to overcome the hernia injury threatening the rest of his season.

City boss Little defiantly defended his decision to withdraw Gabbiadini from Saturday's clash, which ironically moved the Minstermen up a place, but severely jolted fleeting play-off hopes. A large section of the crowd screamed that fellow striker Rodney Rowe should have been substituted.

Countered Little: "I heard the crowd's boos. Fifteen hundred people started booing. But I will not be fazed by any reaction from the crowd. If a player has to come off he has to come off. The crowd can shout what they like, but I make the decisions.

"If anyone can stand up and say Gabbiadini had a better game than Rowe you've got to ask the question were they at the same game?"Marco looked sluggish, while Rodney was causing their defence problems. I can't be swayed by the fact that Marco is a local hero and has come here from the top-flight."

The City manager revealed he singled out midfielder Steve Bushell for a half-time slating, though he added he could have picked on even more players.

"We never played as a unit. We never got possession and we defended badly. We were anxious and it got worse as the half went on. The Wigan goal was always coming," he said.

"I admit I picked on Bushell at half-time. I got just the right response. It was his performance that started to pick the team up in the second-half."

Little bemoaned the chance sent narrowly wide by another substitute Alan Pouton after a breath-taking surge. "If that had been 3-1 there would have been no way back for Wigan. But minutes later they score. That's the difference between us and the Watfords of this world. They can play badly, but they always have somebody to score."

City's loan and lone goal hero, Neil Thompson - the second home strike came off Latics' defender Pat McGibbon - conceded City should have finished off the visitors. "We were shocking in the first-half, but we came back strongly and should have won. Three points and we would have been right in the mix again."

See Point of Order for Match report.

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