Bristol City boss on triple injury blow ahead of visit to Bournemouth - but striker set for ‘opportunity’

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has revealed striker Antoine Semenyo will miss this weekend’s visit to title-changing Bournemouth.

The 22-year-old frontman hobbled out of the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion this month and has worked hard to recover during the international break.

Things could have been very different for Semenyo, who had been in line for a maiden international call-up with Ghana prior to suffering the knee injury against the Baggies.

Pearson confirmed the striker will sit out Saturday’s to the Vitality Stadium - and has hinted Bermudan striker Nahki Wells could be handed a chance to shine in his place.

He said: “He [Semenyo] is making progress but because it’s the knee he had a little bit of a problem with at the end of last season and the early part of this season, we are being sensible with that.

“Of course, it’s disappointing for him to miss out on his international call-up for Ghana, but I know he’s excited about the fact Ghana have now qualified (for the World Cup).

“He will get his chance at some point but he’s not available this weekend.

“Nahki has been excellent this year in terms of his support for his team-mates and at no point has he been anything other than positive.

“On top of that, he is a player I know will work hard for the team and he enjoys playing, he enjoys scoring goals.

“If he gets that opportunity, I know he can take it.”

Pearson had been hopeful midfielder Joe Williams and defender Tomas Kalas could have returned to contention for the trip to the South Coast.

The former Leicester City boss confirmed neither player will be available but both are working hard to return to full fitness in order to play some part in the remainder of the season.

“Not this week, but maybe for the Peterborough game,” he said of Kalas.

“I’ve already said he won’t be considered for midweek games between now and the end of the year.

“So hopefully, he may be available for five games between now and the end of the season.

“(Tomas) won’t be available this weekend.

“Yes, he’s (Williams) been out on the grass today and I can’t tell you how close he is because he’s somebody that has always been able to play through some discomfort.

“I suppose it’s just judging now whether we wait for him to be as close to 100% as possible, or whether he makes himself available and goes back into the fray.

“We will see, but it’s important he makes the most of this opportunity to give his own body a bit of a rest.

“But I know he’s somebody that doesn’t enjoy not being available, that’s just the kind of person he is.”