Western Daily Press (Saturday)
City striker Wells looks set to return
NAHKI Wells could make his long-awaited return from injury today against Sunderland, with the striker having been out of action for more than two months due to an ankle injury.
Wells, inset, has not played for City since damaging the joint in the firsthalf against Leeds United on October 7 but has trained for the last two weeks and head coach Liam Manning admitted the 33-year-old will be in the Robins matchday squad “very soon”, albeit without offering any specific detail around this weekend.
It would seem ambitious to think the Bermudian will make an immediate return to the starting XI but his attacking prowess, experience and leadership could bring much-needed qualities in the dressing room and on the bench, allowing him to ease his way back ahead of the festive schedule.
“Nahki’s a lot closer now, so hopefully we’ll see him very soon,” Manning said, without expanding on when “soon” was likely to be, with Hull City the next visitors to Ashton
Gate on December 22 followed by the Boxing Day trip to Watford.
“Having his character, his experience in the changing room, whether it be starting or on the bench, having that to support the others, to be a voice, is really impactful and when he’s on the pitch his record speaks for itself. I’m sure he’ll be a terrific addition to have back.”
Aside from a possible Wells return, Manning’s squad options to take on Sunderland will remain largely the same as those from Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss at Blackburn Rovers. City did not sustain any fresh injuries, but Kal Naismith, Andy King and Ayman Benarous (all hamstring), Haydon Roberts (ankle), Rob Atkinson (recovery from ACL) and Ross McCrorie (surgery after bacterial infection) remain out.
Naismith had a scan this week but Manning revealed the Scot is “on track” at the High Performance Centre.
The same has previously been said about McCrorie, Atkinson and King with the feeling that the new year will bring more depth. Roberts, however, looks to be out for longer having sustained his injury against Ipswich Town towards the end of Nigel Pearson’s time at the club.
Manning is yet to work with the talented 21-year-old who made some first-team appearances before leaving the field on October 25, but very much conforms to the type of coachable player he wants to work with. He’s an individual familiar to the head coach from his time in the West Ham Under-23 set-up when Roberts was coming through the ranks at Brighton.
“Still a while,” Manning said, when asked about Roberts’ recovery. “I remember him from his time at Brighton, so he’s one I’ll be looking forward to working with when he does get back.”