Bristol City v Preston North End injury news as Spurs striker dealt cruel blow

Bristol City host Preston North End in a rearranged fixture at Ashton Gate in the Championship this evening.

The Robins were due to host the Lilywhites on Saturday, September 10, but following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, all matches in the EFL were postponed.

Both teams want to get the fixture out of the way and have rearranged it for almost a month later.

It is a busy period for both sides and for City it is a fixture they are hoping can kick start their season.

Nigel Pearson’s side are winless in their last five matches, suffering four defeats with their only draw being against bottom-placed Coventry City. Wednesday’s opponents Preston North End meanwhile are just two points outside of the play-offs posing a different test.

Preston boast the best defence in the league with just six goals conceded but also the worst attack with only seven goals.

As for both teams, they are both impacted by injuries and selection issues this season, so here’s the latest.

Bristol City injury news

Nigel Pearson broke the news on Thursday last week that Tomas Kalas should be back training with the squad in ten days to a fortnight. The game will come too soon for the Czech Republic defender and at this moment in time do they need him.

Training with the squad and making a match-day one is a different test however and he could still be a few weeks off.

It remains to be seen whether he will be given a few games in the Under-21’s to build up his match fitness.

Timm Klose was available for selection on Saturday after recovering from an injury but was not brought on in the 3-0 defeat to Birmingham.

Klose was carrying a knock which made him absent before last week but has recovered and should be in contention for a start.

Midfielder Matty James has been missing for the last ten days through a groin injury and underwent a procedure. Pearson said he would be missing for a ‘week or so’ but now since that time has come, it should be interesting whether he returns shortly.

If James is not yet fit to play then City will at least have Joe Williams back for selection after serving a one-match suspension for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Coventry City.

Kal Naismith remains out for at least the next match after picking up a calf injury against Coventry.

Wing-back Kane Wilson has a knee injury after jarring it in a cameo appearance against Queens Park Rangers. He was assessed and shouldn’t be out for too long but had to miss the matches against Coventry and Birmingham.

Preston North End injury news

Preston will be without on-loan Tottenham striker Troy Parrott who is sidelined for the ‘foreseeable future’. The Spurs striker opened his account against Norwich City but was injured in the celebrations which could see him miss the next two months of action.

Ryan Lowe said: “He’s had his scans and whatnot. It’s not as bad as we first thought, but we’re obviously in dialogue with Tottenham Hotspur as well now because he’s their player, so Matt Jackson is on with them.

“I think the World Cup’s come at a good time for Troy because he will miss a large part, but the fact of the matter is we’ve got that break. “We won’t have him for the foreseeable future, but after the World Cup when we’re back in action, hopefully he’s back fit and ready, so it’ll give us enough time not to rush.”

Jordan Storey is suspended for the opposition also after picking up his fifth yellow of the card. Preston play with a back three which is similar to City and will need to be replaced on the right-hand side with Bambo Diaby suggested but he has yet to play this season.

Several players fell ill with a sickness bug before the Norwich match with Brad Potts taken off of the bench after spewing up, as did Ali McCann.

Sean Maguire is a doubt after coming off at half-time against Norwich after a muscle injury. Changes have been promised by the former Plymouth Argyle boss.

As for their top goal scorer, Eil Riis has four goals in 13 games across all competitions, he is available for selection.