Bristol City and Coventry City injury news as several players ruled out of clash

Bristol City have a chance to put things right when they host Coventry City at Ashton Gate on Tuesday evening.

The Robins suffered a 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday following a sluggish first-half in which Steffan Johansen and Tyler Roberts capitalised on.

Nahki Wells scored a goal in the second-half but his effort was not enough as Nigel Pearson’s side succumbed to their third consecutive defeat.

As a result of their three losses, they have dropped down to 13th but tonight’s match against the Sky Blues is the best opportunity to get back amongst the winning trail.

Coventry are bottom of the league but will be boosted by a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on the weekend. Despite that positive result, they remain with only six points this season and are four points from safety.

Bristol City injury news

Ayman Benarous and Tomas Kalas remain long-term absentees for City with their return dates yet unknown.

Benarous suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury towards the end of last season, whilst Kalas has been sidelined since undergoing an operation in March.

Timm Klose is also unavailable for selection after he returned to his native Switzerland following some personal issues that he attended to.

In his post-match press conference after the QPR defeat, he said: “No Tomas (Kalas) won’t be available anytime soon, Timm hopefully will be back in the frame soon. But no, we don’t have (many options). They’ll have to play through it I’m afraid.

"Timm’s had some personal issues that he’s been home for. Apart from that I’m not divulging anymore and I wouldn’t expect to speculate, but he’s been home in Switzerland with his family."

Central midfield is also an area of concern with talented teenager Alex Scott suspended after accumulating five yellow cards this season. His absence is in addition to Matty James, who is also likely to miss out tonight because of a groin problem.

There could be a test for Joe Williams, who until recently has been limited to playing just one-game a week, as a way to combat his persistent hamstring injuries. He has been working hard to make himself fully fit and available for all games, but is in competition with Andy King and Han-Noah Massengo for a place in the starting line-up.

As a result of some injuries, under-21’s pair Dylan Kadji and Sam Bell could be called upon this evening after missing the draw with Millwall.

BBC Radio Bristol pundits Geoff Twentyman and Gary Owers did also speculate that Tommy Conway may have sustained an injury when he was substituted at half-time for Antoine Semenyo.

Three-time Ghana international Semenyo has not yet started a match for club or country this season, but could be handed an opportunity following his impact off of the bench.

Summer signing Stefan Bajic looks unlikely to be a part of the match-day squad having played for the Under-21’s with Max O’Leary preferred for the time being.

Coventry City injury news

Kasey Palmer makes his return to the ground he called home for three seasons this evening and claimed it was the ‘biggest game of the season’ for the Sky Blues.

He has got himself into a position where he can start matches for the Midlands outfit and could be the key to unlocking City’s fragile defence.

They will be without their club captain Liam Kelly who has been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season match. Kelly is back on the training pitches but this game will come too soon for him.

Callum O’Hare is another absentee after he tore his hamstring in the early part of the campaign. He has stepped up in his rehabilitation but again he looks set to miss out.

Whilst he is not injured, ‘influential’ midfielder Gustavo Hamer is suspended for the next three matches as a result of violent conduct. The 25-year-old was red carded against Birmingham City for a high boot on Hannibal Mejbri. It was his second dismissal of the season, adding a further game on.