ROBINS BUOYED BY SMITH INJURY UPDATE
which is just lower back. His pelvis could be tilted or it could also be nerves.
“The excellent news is there is no tear.
“That means, more than likely, that it will be treatable a lot quicker than if there was a tear.
“He actually pulled up in the Ipswich game and came off wincing and complaining about it, so he has obviously got something underlying there.
“We will try everything we can to get Korey back as quickly as possible.”
There was more good news for City, with Milan Djuric also nearing a return to action following his groin problem.
The 27-year-old Bosnian striker has not yet featured this season, but he could be back as early as next week.
Johnson added: “I would say Djuric is very close now.
“He has been delayed with his progression fitness-wise because he didn’t have a pre-season.
“I think he is very comfortable now in his mind that the problem in his groin has been solved.” BRISTOL City have been handed a boost with the news that Korey Smith will be back sooner than expected after he avoided a tear in his hamstring.
Smith limped off during the Robins’ draw with Burton last Friday, having previously felt some pain in the area during a 3-1 win at Ipswich last month.
There were initially fears that the 26-year-old midfielder had torn his hamstring and was facing an extended period on the sidelines, but manager Lee Johnson revealed he could be back much sooner than expected.
Johnson said: “I am really pleased with the scan result he had. He has still got an impingement in his hamstring, so the medical team are trying to assess and work out whether it is coming from his back or the SI joint,