Bristol City injury news as Knight, Naismith, Tanner, Vyner and Wells updates given

Nigel Pearson has revealed that Bristol City duo Kal Naismith and Jason Knight are doubts for the Robins’ EFL Championship clash with Coventry City on Saturday.

Naismith has picked up a calf problem which will be examined prior to the match, while Knight has come down with an illness that kept him out of training on Thursday.

Pearson also gave updates on Nahki Wells, Zak Vyner and George Tanner, as the Robins look light on numbers for their clash against the Sky Blues.

“Kal Naismith has had a calf situation that we have looked at and we’ll have to see how he comes through today’s session,” Pearson said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“Knighty has got an illness, and so he’s not been in today. You can do all the planning that you want through the international break, and we get the internationals back and they are physically okay but again, there’s always something that crops up.

“With Jason Knight, we’re going to have to review that tomorrow to see whether he can play any part of the game. It’s never easy when you’ve got players away.”

Knight played two 90-minute matches over the break, as his Republic of Ireland side were defeated by Greece and eased past Gibraltar respectively.

Though the midfielder had a busy time away with his national team, Pearson was keen to add that the illness wasn’t suffered while he was on duty.

“He was back yesterday, I spoke to him and he was fine. It’s been an overnight thing, and we’ll just have to see how it is. It wasn’t when he was away. He was in yesterday, had a good recovery day, and it happens, doesn’t it.”

Knight’s possible absence leaves a spot up for grabs in the middle of the park. Andi Weimann has been making steady steps in his return from a heel problem, while Andy King is another option.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman has played in midfield before and impressed there, but his services will be needed in the right-back role, as Pearson confirmed that Tanner will also be unavailable for the match.

Furthermore, Vyner has been out since he suffered a knee injury in the Robins’ 4-1 win over Plymouth Arygle last month, and the 60-year-old also gave an update on his return to fitness.

“George won’t make this one either. We’ve got limited numbers, but again we’ll manage. I don’t really waste too much energy on stuff like that. We can adapt the team, and I’m sure we’ll be fine,” the manager said.

“Zak will probably have a scan in 10 days/two weeks' time. Just to see how things are. He’s on track and doing okay.”

The absence of Vyner, and probably Naismith, means that Pearson might need to get creative with how the Robins line up defensively on Saturday. Cam Pring could slot in at centre-back, with Haydon Roberts at left-back.

Further up the pitch, Wells will also miss the match. The Bermudan was substituted with an ankle problem in City’s 2-1 defeat at Leeds United last time out, and will have to watch from the sidelines this weekend.

“He won’t be available for this week,” Pearson said. “Nahki’s the type of player that always wants to be available and even he’s had to admit that Saturday comes too quickly for that. Whether there’s a possibility for the midweek, we don’t know.

“As I’ve said to him, it’s really important that players who are out with injuries, especially at this stage of the season, make sure they’re back to stay back. Vyner is an example of that. Unfortunately for him, he misses out.”