Williams looks on course to play in pre-season games

JOE Williams is set to play a part in Bristol City’s pre-season friendlies over the coming weeks and appears on schedule to be fit for the start of the 2021-22 campaign after joining the squad in training at Loughborough University.

On July 7, City manager Nigel Pearson revealed Williams was yet to join up with the squad for pre-season, despite having reported back for testing at the end of June but did indicate he expects him to be fit in time for the Blackpool game on August 7.

Williams endured an injuryplagued first season for the club, after signing from Wigan, with thigh and hamstring problems limiting the midfielder to just two appearances.

Pearson has admitted Williams is one player the club will need to be careful in managing his recovery given his lack of football over the last 10 months, and the 24-year-old was pictured on Sunday engaging in ball work during City’s pre-season camp in the Midlands.

Williams wasn’t among the 23 players used by Pearson during their 0-0 friendly against Celtic last Wednesday but was pictured and filmed taking part in physical activities on Friday and Saturday.

The Bristol Post understands Williams has taken part in full training sessions, including ball work, over the course of City’s stay at Loughborough indicating he’s making strong progress.

City play League One Portsmouth at the Robins High Performance Centre tomorrow and there is a chance Williams could be involved, although the return of Adam Nagy after his extended summer break due to representing Hungary at Euro 2020 has further enhanced Pearson’s centre midfield options.

With the signings of Andy King and Matty James, Pearson has the former Leicester duo plus Williams, Nagy, Tyreeq Bakinson, Han-Noah Massengo and James Morton to play in the deep-lying midfield positions.