Bristol City Squad “Stretched” by Injuries Ahead of Norwich Match, Coach Manning Reports

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning has stated that his squad will be “a little bit stretched” for Saturday’s trip to Norwich City, attributing this to a flurry of injuries, particularly affecting the defensive line. Mark Sykes, who has made nine Championship starts for Bristol City this season, is among those affected. Versatile midfielder Mark Sykes was substituted just six minutes into the Robins’ 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United on Tuesday after sustaining a hamstring problem. He is currently awaiting the results of his scans. Defender Kal Naismith was also withdrawn due to injury and is similarly awaiting scan results. There is no new information regarding right-back George Tanner and midfielder Joe Williams, both of whom are anticipated to be sidelined for a “considerable amount of time.” Full-back Ross McCrorie injured his hamstring at the end of October, while centre-back Luke McNally is being assessed for a concussion. Defender Robert Dickie, who had returned from a hamstring injury last weekend, was sent off in injury time for a foul on Blades midfielder Callum O’Hare. Consequently, he is suspended for the upcoming trip to Carrow Road. In a positive development, left-back Haydon Roberts is available for selection, having returned from his injury by replacing Cameron Pring in the midweek game. Cameron Pring is also now fit again, following a lower leg laceration that had kept him sidelined for six weeks. Commenting on the team’s injury-hit season, Manning told BBC Radio Bristol, “It’s not something new and not specific to us.” He added, “I think it’s something, across the game, that we have to really look into and analyse why.” Manning further stated, “(We’re) a little bit stretched this weekend but after that, I’m hoping to have a few more bodies back.”