Nigel Pearson doesn’t expect Nathan Baker to be available for Bristol City next season following the defender's two separate concussions sustained last year, which leaves his future at the Robins, and beyond, in doubt.
Baker hasn’t played or trained for City since being stretchered off against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on November 28 after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Chris Basham, having sustained a head injury against West Brom just five weeks earlier.
Those injuries ruled the 31-year-old out for the remainder of the 2021/22 Championship season, with the former Aston Villa defender then undergoing tests and recovering at home, with sporadic appearances at the High Performance Centre to see his teammates and keep him involved as part of the squad.
However, Baker has not reported back for pre-season and Pearson delivered the latest update with a cautious tone as the centre-back looks likely to have played his final game for the club and, it unfortunately has to be said, his career.
“I think I should manage people’s expectations that we don’t expect to see him in the squad this season,” Pearson said at the High Performance Centre on Friday. “But in terms of making comments about timings or statements, I’m not going to make any further comments on that but it’s very, very unlikely that we’ll see him.”
Baker is City's current longest-serving player, outside of those who have been developed through the academy, having signed on a permanent deal in 2017, after a loan the previous season, and still has 12 months to run on his contract at Ashton Gate.
His expected unavailability, coupled with Robbie Cundy’s departure last week to Barnsley, heightens the need for further centre-back reinforcements with City having signed Kal Naismith in this transfer window.
The Scot is a likely starter on the opening game of the season against Hull City alongside Timm Klose, Rob Atkinson and/or Tomas Kalas, depending on how the Czech recovers from his groin injury in pre-season.
Kalas, who missed the final 10 games of last season, hasn’t been taking part in training as he undergoes his rehabilitation from a groin injury and was limping slightly at Failand on Friday as the club held its media day.
Beyond that quartet, Pearson has Zak Vyner and Taylor Moore - two players whose futures look uncertain in BS3 and academy prospects Duncan Idehen and Ryley Towler, although one, if not both, could go out on loan for next season.
City are therefore lacking some depth in the position beyond their recognised four senior players in the position, with Pearson understood to be desiring at least two more additions at centre-back.
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