‘Bite and aggression’ – What Bristol City fans can expect from forgotten man

Liam Manning believes Bristol City fans will be impressed with what summer signing Ross McCrorie has to offer the Robins when the Scottish defender recovers from injury.

The 25-year-old joined City from Aberdeen at the start of the season but is yet to play in a red shirt after facing several months out with a bacterial infection.

Manning revealed that the defender has returned to full training and that the City supporters can be excited about what he will bring to the squad.

"I think the fans will like him a lot," he said. "He's got an element of bite and an element of aggression. He drives and demands a standard which is something I really like.

"You can definitely see that out of possession in terms of how aggressive he is, and in possession he gets forward and joins attacks, he's got good range and he's someone who’s played games at a good level so he's got experience as well."

There was a lot of excitement after his £2m summer move, which was soon cut short after his early problems at the club.

Manning insisted that McCrorie won't be rushed back and that while his time out will have been a frustration, it likely allowed him to develop vital attributes.

“He is desperate to get back and I think his experience and character will add to the group in terms of his qualities," he said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him back fully and in games, he’s obviously had a challenging period but he would’ve definitely developed some other attributes in terms of resilience and coping strategies. It's never nice to miss football but sometimes that hunger grows even bigger."