Nigel Pearson gives verdict on out-of-contract duo and whether we will see play maker again this season

Time is running out for Andy King and Callum O’Dowda to prove to Bristol City they deserve new deals
Kasey Palmer has endured a difficult season at Bristol City. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Kasey Palmer has endured a difficult season at Bristol City. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Kasey Palmer has endured a difficult season at Bristol City. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Out-of-contract duo Andy King and Callum O’Dowda could play in the next fortnight for Bristol City as they bid to earn new deals at the club.

King and O’Dowda have been injured for the past two months and have both missed more than a quarter of the season.

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The former Leicester City midfielder underwent his second operation of the season for a hamstring injury that has plagued his campaign.

O’Dowda meanwhile has been out with a knee injury, which was sustained against Reading when he came on as a substitute.

Both resumed training last week but are likely to miss out on the double-header over the Easter period but could play against Derby County on April 23.

“They have both trained fully with us,” manager Nigel Pearson said ahead of Friday’s game with Stoke City. Andy may be in contention for next week but I am not going to put a definitive time on that.

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“Callum is getting closer as well. I think over the next week or ten days they will hopefully be available for selection.”

Callum O’Dowda has been at Bristol City for six years but his future is not so clear. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)Callum O’Dowda has been at Bristol City for six years but his future is not so clear. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)
Callum O’Dowda has been at Bristol City for six years but his future is not so clear. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)

Time is of the essence for both players who would have at most three games to showcase their stuff to earn a new deal at Ashton Gate.

There is a one-year option to extend O’Dowda’s contract, whilst King has previously worked with Pearson, so he is all too aware of what he offers as a player.

O’Dowda has been at City for six years and has made over 150 appearances for the club after joining as a highly-rated winger from hometown team Oxford United.

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But neither he nor King have their places assured for next season and the next few weeks will either act as an opportunity to showcase their worth to their current team or put themselves in the shop window to prospective clubs.

“Every day you are playing for your future,” Pearson responded when asked by BristolWorld whether it was important for both to come back given the uncertainty of their contract situation.

“It doesn’t matter whether you have got a three-year deal or you have five weeks or two months left.

“They are very aware of their own situations. I think it is important for them to just look at the remaining games and their involvement as opportunities to play as well as they can.

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“Outside of that, it’s not really something to talk about too much today. The players will be the first people to hear what the outcome is at the end of the season.”

Kasey Palmer is a player that is afforded the luxury of an additional year on his contract, but the playmaker has not been a part of first-team plans this season.

The 25-year-old has been frozen out since October and has been limited to just a substitute appearance against Fulham in the FA Cup for the second part of the campaign.

In total, Palmer has made six appearances in the Championship this season with other options preferred ahead of him.

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“He’s making good progress, so possibly,” when asked whether the former Chelsea academy star may appear for City this season.

“I don’t see the reason to rule it in or out. Kasey has had a frustrating season from different perspectives.

“Either being not selected or being unavailable because he has been injured.

“It’s part of being a professional footballer and he has to find his own way of dealing with that scenario.

“It is good to have him back out on the pitch, doing some modified training, which he has been doing and he seems to be in a pretty positive mood too so that is good.”

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