Bristol City vs Blackpool injury news - as 13 players ruled out and 3 doubts

Bristol City continue their busy March schedule as they host Blackpool at Ashton Gate in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Saturday lunch time. The Robins played their game in hand on Tuesday, playing to a goalless drawwith then-bottom-side Huddersfield Town, managed by their old enemy Neil Warnock.

A draw against Huddersfield wasn’t the desired result and Nigel Pearson had described it as a ‘missed opportunity’ but at least they avoided defeat. City have only lost once in the Championship since the turn of the New Year, which was a 2-0 defeat to Severnside rivals Cardiff City.

City’s result slightly helped Saturday’s opponents Blackpool, who remain 23rd after Huddersfield missed the chance to reduce the gap on their relegation rivals. Blackpool did not have a midweek fixture and last played on Saturday, earning an impresssive goalless draw with title-chasing Burnley. Do the Tangerines have any injury concerns to contend with like City do? We take a look at the injury round-up of both Bristol City and Blackpool.

Bristol City injury news

Bad news broke before kick-off on Tuesday night that City would likely be without Joe Williams for the rest of the season. He underwent a scan last Saturday, and the extent of his hamstring problem means his campaign is all but done. Tomas Kalas was also injured in the defeat to Cardiff and he’s set to be out for the next six weeks, which would rule him out for up to eight more matches.

In the aftermath of the draw with Huddersfield, another injury concern cropped up with Matty James taking a knock to his ankle. James received treatment from the physio in the first-half but was able to play on and was one of the better performers. He will be assessed ahead of kick-off, and if he was to be injured then the central midfield options would be limited.

The injury situation won’t improve for the next couple of weeks at least with Kal Naismith, who could solve both their defensive and midfield options, out until at least their final game before the international break against Swansea City on March 19. Rob Atkinson suffered an ACL injury against Sunderland in mid-February and his season was confirmed to be over given the severity of the injury.

Tommy Conway is still ‘a few weeks away’ from contention after picking up a hamstring tendon injury in early January against Swansea City in the FA Cup. Ayman Benarous is another long-term absentee after rupturing his ACL several months ago, during his recovery.

Out: Ayman Benarous, Joe Williams, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson, Tommy Conway and Tomas Kalas. Doubt: Matty James.

Blackpool injury news

As per the Blackpool Gazette, Shayne Lavery missed out on a Northern Ireland call-up after suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat to Reading. Lavery is out for the next six to eight weeks and won't be back till mid-April. Mick McCarthy won't be able to call upon Jake Beesley either who is sidelined for the remainder of the campaign with a fractured foot.

Keshi Anderson played 60 minutes for Blackpool's reserve side in midweek as he steps up his recovery after being sidelined since November after straining his thigh. Lewis Florini did the same last week but was not amongst the substitutes against Burnley last week, but could come in to contention.

In an injury blow to Blackpool, Liam Bridcutt has suffered a setback in his recovery, whilst Charlie Goode, Kevin Stewart, Marvin Ekpiteta and Tom Trybull are all still missing.

Out: Jake Beesley, Shayne Lavery, Marvin Ekpiteta, Charlie Goode, Liam Bridcutt, Kevin Stewart, Tom Trybull. Doubt: Keshi Anderson, Lewis Florini.