Bristol City boss gives full injury update - including Kal Naismith and Tommy Conway latest

Bristol City are back amongst their own supporters this weekend as they host a revitalised Hull City at Ashton Gate, in the hope of continuing their good run of form.

The Robins' unbeaten run was extended to 11 matches as Nahki Wells showed his cool in the fourth minute of stoppage time and scored their first penalty in 469 days, after Jack Clarke's opener. City are still yet to lose since the turn of the New Year and are high on confidence with their current unbeaten streak.

Hull is the priority as that is the next game but no player will want to risk missing the chance to test themselves against one of the world's best teams in Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round next week. Unfortunately, some players have already been ruled out of the clash, and will have to watch from the sidelines as Pep Guardiola and his expensively-assembled squad descend on the West Country.

Rob Atkinson was stretchered off in the 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light last Saturday and the initial fears were proved right, with the centre-back doing his cruciate ligament in. He's out for the rest of the season, and now Tomas Kalas who has barely kicked a ball in anger until late, will now get the opportunity to prove he is worth a new contract.

Others that have been injured include Tommy Conway, who has not played since the start of January, after suffering a hamstring tendon injury in the early stages of their first FA Cup clash with Swansea. Kal Naismith is another player that has been injured, with Pearson blaming the pitch at Preston North End's Deepdale, as a contributing factor. Naismith suffered a second calf injury of the season and are taking a cautious approach to stop him from hurting himself further.

Ayman Benarous has been ruled out for the remainder of the season but there was no update from him in the pre-match press conference for Hull.

Here’s what Nige had to say at Wednesday’s press conference about his injured quartet...

Kal Naismith

"If Kal’s not back before the international break then he’ll certainly be back soon afterwards."

Kane Wilson

“He’s still got a bit of work to do. "He’s been out for a while now so we’re not looking to force him back in or rush him, but if he maintains the levels he’s been working at recently then he’s got a chance of getting himself back in."

Tommy Conway

“Tommy’s a bit closer, he’s making good progress. He’s back out on the grass with us doing a certain amount with his first-team colleagues. Individual stuff as well, he’s making good progress.

Rob Atkinson

“He’s going to have to wait a couple of weeks before he has surgery, that’s a normal procedure these days to let it settle down.

“He’s ruptured his ACL, so that’s his season done. It’s a blow for him and for us, but we’ll deal with it”. Typical Rob, very measured and he’s dealing with it as well as anybody can.”