What’s the latest injury news at Bristol City? Key midfielder undergoes second surgery

The latest on the injuries that Bristol City currently have and when we could see them return to action
Andy King’s season could be over after a second surgery of the season. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)Andy King’s season could be over after a second surgery of the season. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Andy King’s season could be over after a second surgery of the season. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Andy King’s season looks to be over after the Bristol City midfielder underwent surgery for the second time this season on his hamstring.

The 33-year-old was substituted in the first half of the Severnside Derby win over Cardiff City in January and it was revealed to be a hamstring injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since then King has not been available for selection for the next few games and now it has been revealed that he has gone under the knife again.

The first time he had surgery was back in October and that forced him to miss up to two months of action, making a return at the end of December.

It comes as a blow to Nigel Pearson as the central midfield area has been plagued with injuries this season to his more experienced professionals.

Joe Williams is back but he will managed carefully by Nigel Pearson. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)Joe Williams is back but he will managed carefully by Nigel Pearson. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)
Joe Williams is back but he will managed carefully by Nigel Pearson. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)

As well as the injury to King, his former Leicester City teammate Matty James has also been in the treatment room with a recurring foot injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has not played a match since the New Years Day win over Millwall with the midfielder first rested against Fulham as a precaution but he has not been involved in a match day squad since.

In their absence, there has been the youthful partnership of Alex Scott and Han-Noah Massengo with the latter earning rave reviews from the opposition last Saturday.

There is another option in Joe Williams, though after two injuries already this season, he is having a phased return to the side as the club manage his hamstring injury.

“At the moment, Joe’s cameos off the bench are beneficial for him and to us as a side,” Pearson admitted after Williams made two sub appearances against Luton Town and Preston.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s good to have him available and I’ve said many times, I would like for us and for him to have a sustained run where he is available because that has been his big problem over a long period of time.”

In the defensive area, they will be without central defender Rob Atkinson, who was another player injured in the win over Cardiff City.

The centre-back had initially thought it was a back problem and that had kept him out for the games that have followed since but a calf injury has also appeared now.

On his injury, his manager said: “Rob will be out for another three weeks or something like that. It’s his calf, Rob on the pitch said it’s my back but then we realised it was his calf too.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Right-back George Tanner, who was injured towards the end of December does not have a return date. In a short answer to where they are on his progress, Pearson replied: “No idea. He’ll be on track I think, he’s working very hard.”

As well as those who are firmly in the first-team picture, there has also been an update provided on Ryley Towler, who trains with the first-team squad but hasn’t been in the match day squad.

The young defender who spent the first part of the season out on loan at Grimsby Town has been out with a back injury, though it is common in young players his age as his body continues to grow and change shape.

“He’s out on the grass now, it’s a type of problem that you get in young players,” Pearson said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s in his lower back and what we’ve done is take him out of action before it get any worse. He’s looking fine, he feels good as well, we’ve just got to make sure that we monitor his progress now over the next couple of weeks.

“I’m not going to put a time frame on him being back available, he’s one of our young players who we know has ability, he did well on loan and did well for us when we’ve needed him. It is one of those where we have to be careful.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.