Bristol City defender ruled out by injury
BRISTOL City have been left reeling by the news that key central defender Tomas Kalas will be out of action for the next six weeks.
The on-loan Chelsea centreback suffered a head injury during the game against Wigan, when the 25-year-old collided with Marley Watkins.
A statement on the Robins website confirmed that the defender underwent surgery on Sunday.
The Czech Republic international, pictured below, is now not due to return to action for six weeks.
The official statement read: “After receiving medical attention at the DW Stadium, the 25-year- old had scans in Bristol on Saturday and was kept in hospital overnight before undergoing an operation today (Sunday).”
With Aston Villa heading to Ashton Gate on Friday there is the chance for Nathan Baker to take Kalas’ place.
However, Bailey Wright is close to returning to first team training and could yet take a place in the Robins squad.
Kalas has played five times for Bristol City this season.
Speaking after Friday’s game, which the hosts Wigan won 1-0, City head coach Lee Johnson explained that Kalas appeared to be okay and was sitting up after the game, however, later examinations proved that he required further treatment.
FORMER Bristol City winger David Cotterill has spoken openly for the first time of his mental health struggles.
The 30-year-old, who is currently without a club, came through the ranks at Ashton Gate before leaving for Wigan in 2006.
However, Lee Johnson brought the Wales international back to BS3 for 13 games in the January 2017 window as Cotterill helped the Robins to see off the threat of relegation. And speaking to BBC Sport , Cotterill has opened up about his life as a footballer and how it was not all glamour.
“I had an Aston Martin, the big house, anything a person could want - but you can’t help what’s in the brain,” he said.
“It’s the most powerful tool you have and what you feel can block out everything you have. And when you’re fighting that battle every day, it takes its toll.
Cotterill went on to explain that the hardest periods were often when he wasn’t playing as he would not have had his ‘release’.
“When I didn’t have that, it would double, triple what you’d have in your head,” he said.
Speaking specifically about his depression, Cotterill explained the build-up.
“In the early stages, I’d always have to go and have a drive where I would spend hours in the car and think a lot of bad things. I’ve searched for the easiest way to commit suicide.
“Then you think, how can you do that when you have children, a wife? You kind of then have a couple of days when you feel OK again, but it keeps repeating itself.”
Cotterill became Wales’ then-second youngest international in 2005 before a £2million move to the Premier League with Wigan from Bristol City. He says that he used Lego as a means of helping to deal with long hours in hotel rooms.
“I feel better for speaking about it,” he says.
One of the reasons for breaking his silence is to help others feel more able to talk about such issues.
“When I spoke to my wife more about it I actually felt better. Your rash decisions and what you’re doing doesn’t make sense, but if you explain it more you’re getting it off your chest and people can better understand why you act the way you act,” he said.
Cotterill explained that he thinks there are more players out there who could also do with some help.
“I truly believe if a manager or club finds out they’d use it as a weapon to not play you.
“If you’re the big man or big dog in that football team you potentially might get help; if you’re just a number in that squad I don’t think you’re getting the help you deserve or need,” Cotterill says.
“If we’re trying to protect injuries, knee injuries, foot injuries, whatever it might be, then why are we not protecting the brain, I don’t get it.
“We definitely need to look into it. If everyone was open and honest [in football] about depression there would be a scary number.”