Jay Dasilva and Zak Vyner’s Bristol City absence explained by Nigel Pearson

There were two notable absentees when the Bristol City team was announced
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Nigel Pearson was forced in to making two changes to his Bristol City team for their Championship clash with Rotherham United. The Robins boss included George Tanner and the returning Kal Naismith in his starting line-up,

Naismith and Tanner came in place of Jay Dasilva and Zak Vyner, who were not included in the match-day squad at all. Vyner had been ever present for City in the Championship, starting playing in all 21 matches, from Hull City away to the last match against Watford at home in November. Dasilva matched Vyner’s feat, but was a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

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“They are both ill,” explained Pearson to Robins TV ahead of kick-off. “Zak has been for the last couple of days at least and Jay developed some sort of illness through the night. Unfortunately there is a lot of it going about and we have just got to deal with it.”

Ayman Benarous and Kane Wilson’s absence was already known prior to kick-off. The pair are long-term absentees with Benarous’ season over after suffering a setback in his recovery from his anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained towards the end of last season. Wilson jarred his knee against Queens Park Rangers in October and underwent surgery, with a return in the New Year most likely.

Tomas Kalas was ruled out by Pearson in his pre-match press conference. The Czech Republic international had been out injured after undergoing surgery in March and returned in October, but made only two substitute appearances before being sidelined again. He is due to come back either at Christmas or in the New Year.

There was no place in the match-day squad for Han-Noah Massengo or Timm Klose. Academy midfielder Dylan Kadji was preferred over Massengo, who is out of contract in the summer, and could potentially leave in January. As for Klose, he has struggled to find a regular rhythm this season, starting five times and being substituted in five times.

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