Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard was today undergoing surgery on the troublesome knee that has kept him on the sidelines throughout the summer. Last season's 21-goal top scorer could now be out of action for up to two months. The news came on a black night for the Robins, who suffered a shock 3-2 Carling Cup first-round defeat to League Two Southend United at Roots Hall. Maynard had earlier consulted a sports injury specialist, seeking a second opinion on the injury which ruled him out of the entirety of City's pre-season.
Bristol Evening Post

Bristol City's Nicky Maynard will undergo surgery on Wednesday on the troublesome knee problem that has sidelined him throughout the summer. Last season's 21-goal top scorer could now be out for up to two months.
Teamtalk

A season that had begun badly took an unexpected turn for the worse as City were unceremoniously dumped out of the Carling Cup by crisis club Southend. Flat broke and in danger of going out of business, the Shrimpers summoned an underdog's spirit to come from behind and cause a major upset in this eventful first-round tie at humble Roots Hall. Beaten 3-0 by Millwall in Saturday's Championship opener at Ashton Gate, the Robins suffered further embarrassment when 20-year-old striker Matt Paterson was left unattended to head an extra-time winner. City had twice led through Jamie McAllister and Ivan Sproule, only to be pegged back, Paterson scoring his first from the penalty spot and former Robins striker Barry Corr heading a dramatic 88th-minute equaliser to take the game into extra-time.
Bristol Evening Post

Matt Paterson's extra-time header earned United a shock second-round slot. Boss Paul Sturrock, whose side this season is full of new faces, said: "We did brilliantly to come back twice and get the win. It was a great squad performance."
The Sun

There was more misery for England World Cup goalkeeper David James - and this time he could do nothing about it. The 40-year-old had to sit and suffer as a substitute while Championship side Bristol City slid out of the Carling Cup to League Two Southend in front of a sparse crowd at Roots Hall. James, who was at Wembley three months ago playing for Portsmouth in the FA Cup final, was taken out of the firing line here after being beaten three times at home by Millwall on Saturday.
Daily Mail

David James was left on the bench for Bristol City - and saw his team throw away the lead twice before crashing out in extra-time last night.
Daily Star

Steve Coppell saw a dressing room of "heartbroken players" following Bristol City's extra-time defeat to Southend in the Carling Cup. The Robins twice led at Roots Hall on Tuesday night through goals from Jamie McAllister and Ivan Sproule but were pegged back on both occasions before the League Two club edged through 3-2. Coppell, whose side began their Championship campaign with a 3-0 home defeat to Millwall at the weekend, said: "I walked into a dressing room of heartbroken players again because we wanted to win this to kick-start our season.
Teamtalk

Doncaster Rovers' striker James Hayter faces several weeks on the sidelines after tearing a hamstring in last night's 2-1 Carling Cup defeat against Accrington Stanley, which went into extra-time at the Keepmoat. Although an X-ray has ruled out a broken bone in his foot in Saturday's game at Preston, James Coppinger remains doubtful for Saturday's league game against Bristol City. New signing Wayne Thomas will come into contention for a place in the side, however. Thomas, who signed an initial one-year deal yesterday, becomes the club's fifth signing following Billy Sharp, George Friend, Simon Gillett - a former team-mate at Southampton - and Josh Payne.
Sheffield Star

Fabio Capello witnessed a man-of-the-match performance from Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell as England Under-21s overcame their Uzbekistan counterparts in a one-sided friendly at Ashton Gate.
Bristol Evening Post

Fabio Capello bothered to watch England's next generation last night and left with much to ponder. The Three Lions boss snubbed the Under-19s in the Euros last month but made it to Ashton Gate to see Stuart Pearce's U-21s. And the Italian left after 83 minutes knowing it will not be long before the likes of man-of-the-match Jack Rodwell and Tom Cleverley make his full squad. Both were excellent as Psycho's kids warmed up for next month's crunch Euro qualifiers against Portugal and Lithuania.
The Sun