How Nigel Pearson plans to address Bristol City’s Rob Dickie issue against Hull City

Nigel Pearson has insisted that there are several candidates to fill in for suspended Bristol City defender Rob Dickie for the Robins’ trip to face Hull City on Friday night.

Dickie will miss the match after he was dismissed for two yellow cards in Saturday’s frustrating 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City at Ashton Gate.

With Rob Atkinson still recovering from an ACL injury, Zak Vyner is the only out-and-out fit senior centre back at the club, which leaves Pearson with a decision to make for the Tigers clash.

“It’s something that we will have to deal with. We’ve got options with full-backs playing in there and we’ve got options of midfielders playing there,” Pearson said.

“We don’t have a lot of cover in there at the moment but we will manage. We’ve got to. It’s part and parcel of a league season to have players missing either through suspension or injury.”

Cam Pring filled in alongside Vyner at times last season as did Andy King, likewise, new man Haydon Roberts has played the role for Derby County and Brighton U-21s.

Young duo Raphael Araoye and Jamie Knight-Lebel were replaced on the 60-minute mark in the young Robins’ 4-0 defeat to Sheffield United earlier this week, which indicates their potential involvement in some shape, but the most likely candidate to partner Vyner is Kal Naismith.

Naismith occupied the central role in a back three last season and has more experience there than others listed. The ex-Luton Town man has transitioned into a central midfielder in recent months, but his manager has no concerns about dropping him back into the defence.

“Of course, I’ve got full faith in him. I think sometimes it's good for players to simplify the game,” he said. “He's an experienced player and when players change position it's really important that they don't overelaborate it that.

“Whoever plays there at the weekend will know exactly what's expected and the most important thing is that we function well as a team.”

Whoever Pearson decides to fill in at the back, they will face a testing night against the newly rejuvenated Tigers. Liam Rosenior's side have won their last two matches and have brought in some exciting new faces so far this summer.

Ex-Brighton forward Aaron Connolly has signed on a permanent deal, while former Everton man Ruben Vinagre and Burnley’s Scott Twine have linked up with the Tigers on loan.

Pearson continued: “They’re a decent side, they’ve got some good players. It’s a ground we were very frustrated at last year. Our opponents are always going to cause us a problem or a potential challenge but again, referring to last week, it’s what we do is the most important thing.”

The Robins have dominated the ball in three of their four matches so far this season, but have only managed four shots on target in their three league outings so far.

With the pace of Sam Bell and Mark Sykes offering threats in behind, Pearson’s side might have more joy against the Tigers, should Rosenior’s side try and dominate the ball.

“They’re a possession-based side, they’ve got some good technical players and they can mix the game up too. They’ve got players who run in behind as well. We’ve got to make sure the positive side to our play is very evident. Maybe more opportunities on the counter-attack against a side like Hull. Who knows, they might want us to have the ball.”