Bristol City injury crisis worsens as midfielder hobbles off against Stoke City

Bristol City’s squad continues to be stretched after midfielder Omar Taylor-Clarke was substituted early off in the first-half against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Good Friday.

Taylor-Clarke was replaced in the 20th minute by player-coach Andy King following a challenge. The 19-year-old was making his third consecutive start in the Championship before he had to make way. King who came on in his place didn’t start against Reading, but started the last four matches.

To add insult to injury, Stoke went ahead through Nick Powell despite several opportunities for City to open the scoring. Top scorer Nahki Wells spurned a good chance after being picked out by George Tanner. Andi Weimann forced Jack Bonham in to a save by heading at goal from Matty James’ scooped pass.

Stoke punished City however as Ben Wilmot’s picked out Tyrese Campbell on the flank who fed the ball to an unmarked Powell who snatched at his effort. Max O’Leary denied the Potters a second as Campbell’s free-header was well-saved by the goalkeeper.

City already have Joe Williams and Rob Atkinson ruled out for the remainder of the season with injuries. Williams is out with a hamstring issue whilst Atkinson ruptured his ACL against Sunderland in February. Ayman Benarous is already out of the campaign whilst Mark Sykes is suspended for the next two matches.

A short turn-around for City’s next match against Middlesbrough on Easter Monday (April 10) could put Taylor Clarke’s status in doubt. Alex Scott, Kal Naismith and Tomas Kalas are not expected to play a part with the Easter period being too soon for the injured trio. All three are back in training but weren’t deemed fit enough to play against Stoke.

Meanwhile in his pre-match interview Nigel Pearson revealed the plan for Tommy Conway who will not play the entirety of the match. Conway is returning from a hamstring tendon injury but is being carefully managed.

In his pre-match interview with BBC Radio Bristol, Pearson said: “Tommy will play in the same position as last week but he won’t be playing for as long as he did because we want him available for the Middlesbrough game.”