Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Good news for Robins in terms of injuries
BRISTOL City assistant manager Curtis Fleming has confirmed that Zak Vyner will not require surgery on his knee ligament injury, meaning the central defender will be out for a matter of weeks rather than the remainder of the season, while Tommy Conway is closing in on a first-team comeback after returning to training this week.
Vyner missed last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Leicester after sustaining a knee injury during the first half of the previous Championship fixture against Plymouth Argyle, in which the 26-year-old played through the pain barrier to complete the game.
Boss Nigel Pearson admitted that, having damaged his ACL, the defender could feasibly be out for up to nine months should doctors rule that an operation was the necessary course of action but, after visiting a specialist this week, that has been decided against, meaning Vyner’s absence is likely to four to six weeks.
“Zak Vyner has got a ligament injury, no surgery required after seeing a specialist, so that’s ongoing treatment at the moment,” Fleming said. “It will be a few weeks, but that’s great news for him, great news for us and great news for the fans. It will be great to get him back and we’ve got to be careful with him but I thought that was a really good boost for everybody.”
Striker Conway should be back on the field before then, having trained all week at the High Performance Centre in full-contact sessions after being out since the start of August with a hamstring injury.
“Tommy’s been back in training with us, which has been brilliant,” Fleming said. “Chomping at the bit, as he always is. He’s looking fit and looking strong. He’s not far away.”
Meanwhile, City have signed exForest Green goalkeeper Lewis Thomas, left, on a short-term deal until January 2024, as injury cover for Harvey Wiles-Richards who is recovering from a knee issue.
Thomas was released by Forest Green this summer, having been at the New Lawn since 2018, and arrives at Ashton Gate on a free transfer. The 26-year-old made 49 appearances for the Gloucestershire side, including 11 last season, having started his career in the Swansea City academy.
Thomas will back-up goalkeepers Max O’Leary and Stefan Bajic.
City, meanwhile, host Stoke in the Championship today.