Bristol City boost as Blackpool could be without SEVEN players for Championship clash

Bristol City’s opponents Blackpool could be without seven of their players for their Championship clash at Bloomfield Road.

City have trained at the High Performance Centre today before making their travels up to Lancashire.

The Robins, on a high after defeating Wycombe Wanderers which has them unbeaten in their last five games, have seemingly had better preparations than their opponents.

Blackpool are possibly going to be without seven players for their match with Michael Appleton’s side.

Sister paper Blackpool Gazette reports that there are a few injury problems within the ranks affecting a number of first-team players.

Former Everton defender Luke Garbutt is the closest to returning after resuming training, but there are two players that could play in his position.

Charlie Patino, signed on loan from Arsenal, where supporters made a viral chant for him, is at least a fortnight away from action.

On loan Manchester City midfielder Lewis Fiorini, Kevin Stewart, Keshi Anderson and striker Jake Beesley are all sidelined too.

Appleton in his pre-match presser said to the Gazette: “Believe it or not, Charlie is probably closest but he’s still a good couple of weeks away. “Lewis is going to be a while, Keshi, Jake Beesley and Kevin Stewart are still a while away.

“Garbs had his first bit of football on the grass yesterday so he’s not a million miles away, but obviously left-back is not a position we’re desperate to get players in and around it at the minute, because we’re quite secure.”

As well as injuries, Sonny Carey is serving the first of his three-match suspension, having had his appeal for his red card against Burnley, rejected.

For the Robins, their top scorer Andi Weimann is a doubt for the clash, having sat out of Wednesday’s match with Wycombe.

Weimann was pictured in the stands along with midfielder Joe Williams, who is still on a personal programme that limits him to a game a week.

Czech Republic international defender Tomas Kalas remains sidelined, having undergone surgery towardsthe end of last season.

Mark Sykes is out as he serves the final of his three-game suspension following his red card against Luton Town. Antoine Semenyo made his first appearance of the season after coming off of the bench whilst Matty James returned ahead of schedule following an injury he sustained in the warm-up against Sunderland.