📣 City squad update

Thursday, March 3rd 2022

Nigel Pearson has given a squad update ahead of City’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Birmingham City.

Defender Tomas Kalas will be available for the visit of the Blues despite coming off for the last 10 minutes of City’s loss to Forest with a ‘heavy knock’.

Speaking to Robins TV, Pearson said: “He is ok, it was just a really heavy knock and Tomas doesn’t enjoy coming off the field, let’s put it like that. He’s a very likeable lad and he’s a competitor, so he enjoys the challenge of the game. I think all our defenders are hurting at the moment that we’re not keeping clean sheets. If Tomas is available and selected, then I know what I am getting from him.”

Matty James returned to the pitch at the City Ground as a 63rd-minute substitute and Pearson is pleased to have a midfielder with his experience back in the mix as the Robins approach their last 11 games of the season.

“It’s good to have someone with Matty’s experience available – I don’t think him and Joe Williams have played a game together. It’s going to be important in the final 10/11 games that we have got more players to choose from," said Pearson.

Goalkeeper Max O'Leary is back in training, while Rob Atkinson also returned to team training this week.

And Pearson has not ruled out including the central defender in this weekend’s matchday squad after recovering from a calf strain.

“Rob has been out here training fully this week and he’s looked a lot better than he has done for a long time, so hopefully he’ll be involved in the squad very shortly, maybe even Saturday," said the manager.

Rob Atkinson could be available for selection

George Tanner has stepped up his rehabilitation from a reoccurring hamstring injury and, whilst he has returned to the grass, Pearson has not put a timeframe on when we can expect to see him back on the pitch.

“George is still quite a way from being available for the team, although he’s making really good progress and he looks pretty fit. He’s had a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury so we have got to be very mindful of when he is reintroduced,” added Pearson.

Meanwhile, Callum O’Dowda (knee) and Andy King (hamstring) are continuing their respective rehabilitation programmes.