Liam Manning reveals Bristol City key man return date as Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town clashes ruled out

Liam Manning has revealed that Rob Dickie is likely to miss Bristol City’s matches against Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town after being left out of the Robins’ squad against Sunderland this afternoon.

Dickie has played in City’s last 37 matches in all competitions but that run will be ended against the Black Cats.

Haydon Roberts replaces the defender in the starting line-up, as he slots into the heart of defence alongside Zak Vyner.

“He got a kick to the calf at Plymouth on Monday so unfortunately he’s in a little bit of discomfort,” Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.

“We’ve scanned it, it’s nothing major, it’s going to be 7-10 days so hopefully we can get him back as quickly as possible.”

Manning will be hoping that Dickie faces no unexpected problems in his recovery, with the Robins already short on numbers at centre-back.

Rob Atkinson hasn’t played this season after suffering an ACL injury last campaign, while Kal Naismith has had to deal with several hamstring injuries this term.

Dickie’s absence means Vyner is City’s only natural senior centre-back, Roberts has featured there before but is classed as a left-back, while young defender Jamie Knight-Lebel has limited senior experience.

City have just six matches left of the campaign and with little to play for in terms of promotion or relegation, they may not rush Dickie back into match action.

Dickie joins the likes of Sam Bell, Ayman Benarous, Atkinson and Naismith on the sidelines, as City look to bring some bodies back to full fitness in the coming weeks and months.