Injured City trio return to training

However, Weimann, Baker and O’Dowda are all some way from first-team action

FORWARD Andi Weimann has returned to Bristol City’s Failand training pitches after a long lay-off with an ACL injury – although he is not expected to play before the end of the campaign.

Callum O’Dowda and Nathan Baker have also returned to training in further positive news for the Robins, who host AFC Bournemouth this evening looking to win three League games in a row for the first time since November.

City’s dire injury situation looks slightly better than it was, with those three back on the grass, although Joe Williams has had surgery on his hamstring, Jamie Paterson is nursing a sore groin – which he recently had minor surgery to try to correct – and Henri Lansbury is out with a sore Achilles.

The Robins are not expected to welcome back any injured players to their squad to face the Cherries, with manager Nigel Pearson urging caution regarding Weimann, Baker and O’Dowda, who were pictured back on the grass by the official club channels.

Pearson said of Weimann, right, who he managed during his spell in charge of Derby County: “He’s a very positive character. He brings the types of qualities I like in players. Hard work and a team ethic.

“He’s a good player and a good man, but we won’t be seeing him this season I wouldn’t have thought.

“To recover from an ACL injury, it’s very important to make sure that when he’s back, he’s back for good. And that’s my view on all players.

“There aren’t too many occasions where it’s ethical or sensible to put players into a position where they’re