Western Daily Press (Saturday)
I’m gutted for injured Atkinson – Manning
BRISTOL City head coach Liam Manning has confirmed Rob Atkinson’s season is “pretty much” over after scans on the defender’s latest injury revealed a hamstring tear.
Atkinson left the field in the 37th minute of Tuesday’s Under-21 game against Cardiff City at the High Performance Centre, which was the second game of his intended comeback, having played 45 minutes for the Young Robins the previous Saturday.
The 25-year-old has not played for City after suffering an ACL injury at Sunderland last February and, with confirmation of this latest injury, now faces another intensive period of rehabilitation to hopefully get him ready for pre-season.
“Bad news, he’s going to be out for quite a while,” Manning said. “He’s got a tear in his hamstring, so unfortunately he’s going to be out for some considerable time. Like I said the other day, I’m gutted for him because he’d worked extremely hard to get back into the position he’s at.
“I know the guys are assessing and analysing every tiny little bit of detail as to why it might have happened but unfortunately sometimes you can’t always get to the answer.”
When asked if he would likely be out for the remainder of 2023/24, Manning added: “Pretty much.”
It’s a cruel blow for the popular centre-back who twice has been on the verge of a first-team return only to suffer a setback and all the mental challenges he has been through over the last 12 months will continue.
“Not great, to be fair, understandably,” Manning added, in response to how Atkinson has taken the latest news. “It’s been quite a long period for him, and he’s worked so hard, especially emotionally when you play a game you start to feel like you’re a lot closer and you get to that, I think is tough.
“But the big bit for me is bigger picture perspective in terms of family etc. Sometimes it feels like the end of the world but, in the grand scheme of things, he’s a fit, healthy person with a young family that he needs to be there for.
“What he knows with us is that he’ll get all our support, we’ll do everything we can to look after him and make sure we get him back ready to go next season.”
Manning should have Scott Twine available to him for today’s visit of Queens Park Rangers as the playmaker has trained all week after recovering from a quad injury sustained on his debut just over two weeks ago.
A late decision will be made on Kal Naismith’s involvement as the 31-year-old came through 45 minutes against Cardiff on Tuesday having not played since suffering a hamstring injury, which led to complications, at Southampton on November 29.
“Kal’s just a bit stiff off the back of the other day, so we need to assess him, but Twiney trained, so he’s a lot closer, so he’s a potential for the squad at the weekend,” Manning said.