Mawson and Baker on comeback trail

SLOWLY but surely, Bristol City’s injured players are edging closer to a playing return.

Alfie Mawson is back in the South West after returning to Fulham briefly and seeing a specialist regarding his knee injury. The 27-year-old’s return to the West County, even if it is only to start light training, is welcome news at the Failand traning ground, as is the return of fellow centre-back Nathan Baker, who has been out on the grass for the first time since his hamstring tear last

August. Neither player is expected back into the first-team fold until January.

Fellow Fulham loanee Steven Sessegnon is also in the initial stages of rehab and is due back in th enew year, too.

“Yes, Alfie is (back at Ashton Gate). He spent the initial period with Fulham. He got checked out by the specialist down in London and he’s back with us now,” confirmed head coach Dean Holden.

“He’s in light rehab at the moment. Sess (Sessegnon) is with us as well. Nathan Baker was out on the grass today for the first time today doing some light work as the first part of his rehabilitation, which is a big boost for him.

“Every day we’re edging closer to getting some of those guys back,” said Holden who is expecing ‘five to six players’ to possibly return next month.

However, Jamie Paterson is unlikely to feature against Blackburn Rovers tonight, due to an ongoing hip complaint.

City are looking for a second win in seven matches on their own pitch, but they face the most in-form team in the league in Blackburn.