O’Dowda facing ‘a couple of months’ on the sidelines

BRISTOL City’s list of long-term injured players has swollen with Callum O’Dowda ruled out for at least a couple of months with a hamstring injury.

The Irishman, who had been in good form of late, limped off in the 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day and has been scanned to discover the extent of his injury.

The news is not good and the 25-year-old, pictured, has been ruled out for months by his head coach as the Robins reel at another long-term absence to follow those of Nathan Baker, Alfie Mawson, Liam Walsh, Joe Williams, Chris Brunt, Jay Dasilva, Andi Weimann and Steven Sessegnon.

Jamie Paterson is not expected to be fit for the weekend to face Brentford tomorrow, either.

“Callum’s going to be out for a good number of weeks. There’s a decision to be made with the specialist on how we approach the actual injury,” said Holden.

“But he’s going to be out for about a couple of months, and maybe beyond. We’ll have to see.

“Once we get the final decision from the specialist and the experts we’ll decide how we proceed.

Opi Edwards suffered a knock on Monday - and was due to start against Luton Town on Tuesday night, with Jack Hunt nursing a foot injury. But a calf strain for Edwards in training changed those plans, with Hunt stepping in to face the Hatters - following a late fitness test - but unable to finish the match due to the cut on his foot reopening, which was sustained in a challenge in the Boxing Day game, too.

“Pato’s still in rehab trying to get himself fit,” added Holden. “Hopefully sooner rather than later. It’s taken longer than we would have liked. Originally we were optimistic that it might have been a couple of weeks, but he’s seen a couple of specialists now.

“As I say we’re working hard to get him back fit - he’s a big player for us.”

City are in talks with several clubs over recalling their loan players, however. The Robins are hopeful that a couple may even return for the trip to Brentford tomorrow.

“You’ll appreciate that I can’t talk publically about those players just yet but we’re talking to their clubs,” said Holden. “You can’t just recall some players on January 1 - it doesn’t work like that. We’re in talks and we hope to get those guys in as soon as we can.”