O’Dowda rated 50/50 for crunch clash with Blades
BRISTOL City winger Callum O’Dowda is rated 50/50 for Saturday’s Championship game against Sheffield United after returning early from international duty with a knee injury.
O’Dowda, who has scored four goals with four assists in 31 league appearances, flew back to Bristol within 24 hours of reporting to the Republic of Ireland squad after Mick McCarthy’s medical team diagnosed a knee injury.
The 23-year-old has spent the last ten days undergoing physio on the problem but is yet to train with the first team and Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson revealed he will make a call on if O’Dowda can play against the Blades on Friday.
“I think Callum is 50/50,” said Johnson. He had the scan and it suggested a two or three-week injury from the point of contact which that has been now.
“He hasn’t trained with us but he has been out on the grass going through various movements. Friday we’ll probably push him and see whether we can get him involved.”
Johnson is well-stocked with attacking midfielders should O’Dowda not recover in time for the trip to Bramall Lane, with Andi Weimann, Antoine Semenyo and Matty Taylor all vying to join Jamie Paterson and Niclas Eliasson in City’s expected trio behind Famara Diedhiou.
Another selection issue surrounds the identity of City’s goalkeeper as Johnson must decide between Max O’Leary, pictured, and Stefan Marinovic after holding an audition for the No 1 jersey in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Cardiff 11 days ago.
City need stability between the posts with O’Leary and Marinovic having started one game each in the wake of Niki Maenpaa’s calf injury, which is likely to rule him out until the end of the season. There were concerns over Marinovic after he was substituted in an Under-23 match against Colchester last week but Johnson insists the New Zealand international is fit and remains in competition with O’Leary, along with Jojo Wollacott who has been on loan at non-League Gloucester City.
“You’ll find out (who is going to be the new number 1) sooner rather than later,” Johnson added.
“I’m replaying my words - it’s a little bit harsh because you never know what’s going to happen, with form, performances or physical or mental state.
“Frank Fielding you can pretty much guarantee is out for the season. And Niki Maenpaa has had a blood-spinning treatment. If he doesn’t respond well then those are our three for the rest of the season: Jojo, Max and Stefan.”