‘X factor’ - Nigel Pearson explains Tommy Conway’s role for Bristol City against Stoke City

Nigel Pearson says Tommy Conway’s return to Bristol City’s squad to face Stoke City adds an extra spark to the Robins’ frontline.

Conway has been out injured since being forced off against Preston North End on matchday one of the Championship season but has made vast strides to return for selection sooner than once thought.

Pearson hinted previously that the striker would be back in mid-October, but assistant boss Curtis Fleming gave a positive update on Thursday, and it seems the Scot has done enough in training for his manager to name him amongst the substitutes for their clash against the Potters.

The 60-year-old insisted that Conway isn't simply in the squad to make up the numbers. “Once they’re back involved, they’re there because they’ve got a job to do and we think they’re able to do it at their top end of performance,” he said.

“Tommy’s been out for a while but I've got no doubt that if he gets on, he’ll get into goalscoring positions, there’s not doubt in my mind.

“It happened with Andi (Weimann) last week, he looked really lively when he went on and got into a goalscoring position, he was unable to take it on the day, but what’s important is that those types of players can add a little bit of X factor for us. It gives us options in an attacking sense.”

The Robins face a trip to Rotherham United next Wednesday, before another away game at Leeds United. After their trip to the Whites, Pearson’s side have two weeks off due to the international break, and the manager has been planning on how to utilise Conway correctly with the time off in mind.

Pearson explained: “We’ve got this short block of games now before the international break, which potentially gives us another opportunity to make sure that players who are in need of a bit more work get it. In the short term, we have to manage the pitch time for those players as well as we can.”