Nigel Pearson reveals extent of Joe Williams and Tomas Kalas Bristol City injuries

Nigel Pearson has explained the extent of Joe Williams and Tomas Kalas’ injuries after both were absent from Bristol City’s line-up against Huddersfield Town.

Both players were forced off in the 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City last Saturday and neither were fit enough to be included against the Terriers on Tuesday night. Williams came off first in the 23rd-minute, complaining of a hamstring problem and then Kalas made his way off the pitch after the hour mark with a knee issue.

Czech Republic international Kalas only just been able to start the last three matches, after being blooded back in following a long-term injury. Williams had suffered a series of hamstring problems since signing from Wigan Athletic, and was restricted to just one-game a week, but was able to built the robustness required as of late to play a double game week.

He underwent a scan on Saturday to assess the extent of the injury, whilst there was a slightly more positive outlook on Kalas in Pearson’s post-match assessment, but both are now likely to miss either the whole or a large part of the season.

“Yeah, it's not good news I am afraid,” said Pearson to BBC Radio Bristol. “Joe I think that will be his season finished unfortunately, it's a disappointment for himself and for us. He's been one of our really consistent performers as of late.

“Tomas will be six weeks I assume, it could be less but I don't want to build peoples expectations up unnecessarily. It's a setback for Tomas because in the two games he's played he's been really good again. A shame for him and us but we'll just have to deal with it.

“It's never easy when players have to deal with injuries but certainly for those two who have had problems over the last year or so. It's a setback for them and certainly for us it will be a miss. We've got a really tight squad at the moment, players will have to step up I am afraid.”

Kalas and Williams’ injuries were two of three changes that the 59-year-old made with deadline day signing Anis Mehmeti dropping to the bench and replaced by top scorer Nahki Wells.

City’s team has a defence of George Tanner and Jay Dasilva at full-backs with Cameron Pring moved in to the centre to partner Zak Vyner.

In Williams’ absence, Andy King has come in and he will play alongside captain Matty James with Alex Scott playing as the furthest midfielder out of the midfield three.

City remain with a three-man attack with Mark Sykes at right-wing and Sam Bell on the left with Wells in the centre. Bell started in the centre on Saturday with Wells on the bench, but the former has kept his place in the side.

Explaining his decision to bring in Wells, Pearson said: “Nahki is a proven goal scorer, we have got options but he gets his chance tonight along with Sam Bell and Mark Sykes. We’re nice and mobile up there and we’ve got options off the bench too which is really positive for us.

“Clearly we are shorter in the two other areas which is midfield and certainly defensively. We’re going to have to deal with a change in those positions but the formation stays the same. “

Bristol City (4-3-3): Max O’Leary, George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Cam Pring; Jay Dasilva, Matty James (C), Andy King, Alex Scott; Mark Sykes, Nahki Wells, Sam Bell.

Substitutes: Nikita Haikin, Kane Wilson, Omar Taylor-Clarke, Andi Weiman, Marlee Francois, Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick.