‘Strong character’ - Bristol City starlet tipped to bounce back after injury set-back

Andy King has praised Bristol City youngster Ayman Benarous’ positive mentality following the youngster’s most recent injury setback and hailed his footballing knowledge.

Benarous has been side-lined since the end of last season when the 19-year-old picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training ahead of the Robins’ match against Huddersfield Town.

The Englishman had been making steady steps to return to first-team action but has since suffered a recurrence of the knee injury and has undergone surgery.

King, who has also suffered lengthy spells on the sidelines, spoke positively on Benarous’ attitude towards the injury.

“He loves football, he just wants to be out there with the team, and I was gutted for him as he had worked so hard to get back so for him to have another setback was gutting, but he’s a strong character. I had a couple of setbacks last year and it’s hard at 33 to deal with that, so for him at his age to be dealing with it (as well as he is) is brilliant.

“I thought he dealt with his rehab, the first one, well. I used to say to him he never seems to have a down day, he never seems to be feeling sorry for himself.”

Benarous isn’t the only members of Nigel Pearson’s squad to be out of action of late, as several first teamers have suffered with injury over recent months.

Kal Naismith, Tomas Kalas and Antoine Semenyo, have all been out for a period of time this campaign, as well as summer signing Kane Wilson who is likely out for the season, and ex-club captain Nathan Baker who was forced to retire in August.

Matty James has also been troubled with similar injuries to Benarous’ in the past, and the youngster is taking all the advice he can get from the ex-Manchester United man, as well as other senior members of the squad.

“I know he speaks to Matty James quite a lot and Jamo really helps him because obviously he’s had a couple of knee injuries as well so he knows where he’s coming from,” he said. “He can speak to him about his rehab or what he’s doing and Jamo can relate to him really well in terms of how his knee’s feeling, not to get too down if it’s a little bit sore.

“He knows he’s got the older lads to help him, the lads rally around him but for sure for I’m and his career it is just a setback and I think he’s another one who can go on to have a really good future.”

City aren’t short of promising young talent, with Tommy Conway and Alex Scott at the very top of their standout performers so far this season.

The Robins’ Under-21 side are enjoying a stellar season so far, and currently sit top of the Professional Development League South.

Veteran King emphasized the importance of studying football and admitted how impressed he is with Benarous’ commitment to the sport.

“I’ve never really met a player who studies football as much as Ayman, who wants to dedicate his life to football as much,” he said.

“If you asked him that World Cup question (about what players have stood out so far), he’d tell you 15 players that nobody’s ever heard of that play for Saudi Arabia, Iran, whoever else.”