Championship round-up: Ex-Bristol City ace named as new Tigers boss, John Ruddy ‘opens up’ on future

Former Bristol City defender Adam Webster has been named in England’s 55-man World Cup squad, according to the Evening Standard. The list has not been made public but the Brighton ace is reportedly one of a number of players pushing for a seat on the plane to Qatar.

The 27-year-old joined the Robins from Ipswich Town in 2018 for an initial £3.5 million rising up to £8m and was named as their Player of the Year in his first season, making 44 appearances in the Championship. Webster’s fine form earned him a four-year deal with Brighton the following summer and he has since impressed in the Premier League as the Seagulls battle for a top six spot.

After a tough week of Bristol City in the second tier, we take a look at today’s headlines from across the Championship.

Ex-Robins star returns to management

Hull City have confirmed the appointment of ex-Bristol City defender Liam Rosenior as their new manager. His arrival ends the Tigers’ long wait for a new boss after Shota Arveladze was sacked in September.

Rosenior was previously assistant manager to Wayne Rooney at Derby County until the Manchester United legend departed for the MLS over the summer, leaving Rosenior to take the reigns as interim coach. He departed the club in September before Paul Warne was named as Rooney’s permanent successor.

The 38-year-old’s appointment comes 20 years after he made his senior debut for the Robins, where he spent two years before joining Fulham in 2003. He since went onto play for the likes of Reading, Hull and Brighton.

John Ruddy ‘opens up’ on Blues future

John Ruddy has spoken on his future at Birmingham City, insisting he is ‘relaxed’ ahead of his contract expiry at the end of the campaign. The goalkeeper has started all of the Blues’ Championship matches this season and has picked up six clean sheets.

As reported by the Birmingham Mail, Ruddy said: “I am enjoying myself and I don’t want anything to distract away from that. I will speak to the club in the New Year, as and when we can and need to, but I am very relaxed about the situation.

“Like I said I am enjoying being here, I am in the building so as far as I am concerned they have got the upper hand. It’s great to be back playing football, you don’t realise how much you miss something until you are not doing it. It’s been really good, I am really pleased with how it’s going.”

The 36-year-old joined the Championship club on a one-year contract in July as competition for Neil Etheridge, but has quickly secured his place in the starting line-up.

Championship icon celebrates landmark

Former Nottingham Forest and Reading defender Chris Gunter has celebrated his 700th career appearance during AFC Wimbledon’s Papa John Trophy match against Portsmouth. The 33-year-old is the highest-capped Welsh player of all-time and has been a regular fixture in the second tier throughout his career.

Gunter earned almost half of his appearances with the Royals, where he spent eight years before joining Charlton Athletic in 2020. The full-back is set to cap off a brilliant career as he travels to Qatar for Wales’ first World Cup since 1958 in a few weeks.