Bristol City injury report: Robins still set to be without key players in defensive and midfield areas

Bristol City are having a bad amount of luck when it comes to injuries right now with many players in the treatment room.

The Robins are having to play the same players each week with there being a minimal amount of changes when it comes to the match day squad.

A 3-1 defeat to Swansea City on Sunday left Nigel Pearson fuming with the head coach suggesting that changes could be made, with a suggestion it would be in the defensive area.

He has a difficult job ahead of him though of implementing those changes because of the number of players out of action right now.

Below are the players that there are question marks about over their fitness or confirmed absentees.

Max O’Leary

Injured: Sunday, 13th February vs Swansea City

Max O’Leary had been playing a run of games for Bristol City though in the nine games he’s played, he’s conceded 21 goals, failing to keep a clean sheet, though that is not only down to him.

After a collision with goal scorer Michael Obafemi on Sunday in which the striker was booked for his challenge, O’Leary was unable to continue and was replaced by the returning Daniel Bentley.

O’Leary was fit enough to leave the pitch to his own accord but he was limping as he was welcomed off by his manager.

Nigel Pearson though was not in the mood in his post-match press conference to discuss the status of any of his players and their knocks. There should be more insight in to his availability come Thursday’s pre-match press conference.

Nathan Baker

Injured: Sunday, November 28 vs Sheffield United

The experience of Nathan Baker has been missed in the back line, so much so that City had to dip their toes into the free agent market to sign Timm Klose.

Baker, who re-signed with the club back in the summer, has endured two head injuries this season.

He was admitted to hospital after leaving the pitch against Sheffield United on a stretcher. Baker hasn’t got a time frame on his return but in an interview with the BBC last month, Nigel Pearson said he would be surprised if Baker played again this season.

The 30-year-old has been around the training ground at times though and still integrates with his teammates but isn’t taking part in physical training.

Callum O’Dowda

Injured: Wednesday, February 9 v Reading

Callum O’Dowda will miss the next four to six weeks of the season after getting injured against Reading. O’Dowda himself came on as a substitute but after just 19 minutes, was replaced by Robbie Cundy. O’Dowda’s injury will see him miss up to the next seven games.

Cameron Pring, who had been playing as a centre-back mainly this season deputised in his place in the defeat to Swansea.

Rob Atkinson

Injured: Saturday, January 22 v Cardiff

At what was first suggested as a back injury when he left the pitch in the derby against Cardiff, turned out to also to be a calf injury. It was somewhat of a double whammy for the defender who was trying to force his way back into the defence.

Atkinson will need to be back on the grass and training before making a playing return but the best case scenario would perhaps be a return on March 5 against Birmingham City.

Andy King

Injured: Saturday, January 22 v Cardiff City

One of two players that were injured in the Severnside Derby victory over Cardiff City.

King was the second withdrawal after Rob Atkinson had left the pitch earlier. It was revealed to be a hamstring injury for King which later required surgery, his second of the season.

The former Wales midfielder went under the knife before and missed 10 weeks of the season the last time.

Given the nature of the injury and that King is towards the end of his career at 33-years-old then there needs to be a bit of caution when managing his return. He could make a return in mid April which would give him a few games of the end-of-season run in but Pearson doesn’t like to risk or aggravate injuries.

George Tanner

Injured: Thursday, December 30 v Queens Park Rangers

This was a frustrating night for City as not only did they concede a stoppage time goal to Yoan Barbet but they also lost George Tanner to a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Atkinson though towards the end of the first half. He’s yet to be seen but could return to training towards the end of the month.

Boy do City need a defender that is available down the right-hand side right now. A majority of their goals that they are conceding tend to come down that side. There’s been a few names plugged into that position like Alex Scott, Jay Dasilva and most recently Zak Vyner.

Matty James

Injured: N/A

Matty James suffered a foot injury, more specifically issues to his plantar fascia which is the ligament at the base of his foot. It was picked up against Barnsley but he returned four games later but it has since returned and caused him issues.

He hasn’t been seen the win over Millwall at the start at the year and it was thought him missing the FA Cup game against Fulham was just a rest but he’s actually been out injured. The club are trying to manage him as best as possible but hasn’t been training so far this month.