Nigel Pearson has also confirmed that George Tanner and Nahki Wells won’t be able to participate in the upcoming Championship match at Ashton Gate. This situation has created a dilemma for Bristol City, as key players Kal Naismith and Jason Knight are questionable for Saturday’s clash with Coventry City at Ashton Gate, potentially leaving them with just one healthy senior center-back.
Naismith is dealing with a calf injury and, despite participating in training this week, a decision about his availability will be made closer to the game, according to Pearson. On the other hand, Knight, who represented the Republic of Ireland during the international break, returned to training but fell ill overnight and will continue to be monitored leading up to the weekend match.
Both Naismith and Knight have played crucial roles this season, with Naismith impressing as a left-sided center-back and Knight excelling in the attacking midfield position. However, Naismith’s potential absence would leave Rob Dickie as the only specialized center-back, though Cam Pring and Haydon Roberts could fill in.
The absence of Knight would also be significant, but Andi Weimann is fully fit and ready to replace him if necessary. The team also boasts other attacking options, including Ephraim Yeboah and Harry Cornick. Pearson is less concerned about the attacking and midfield options, as the main challenge lies in the limited defensive choices.
In addition to the aforementioned players, Nahki Wells and George Tanner will definitely miss the weekend game due to injury. Zak Vyner is expected to undergo a scan to assess his progress, with a return in November being the most realistic timeframe.
Pearson emphasized the importance of ensuring injured players make a full recovery before returning to the field, highlighting the need for their long-term well-being.
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