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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Nigel Pearson reveals latest injury concern to Bristol City midfielder ahead of Blackpool test

Nigel Pearson has confirmed Matty James will be a doubt to face Blackpool at the weekend after taking a knock to the ankle in the draw at Huddersfield.

The midfielder looked in discomfort in the first half following an impact injury and was limping for periods after receiving treatment from the City physios. There were initial concerns about whether James would need to be replaced as Andi Weimann warmed up on the sidelines but he continued to play the full 90 minutes.

It's unclear when the injury occurred although he was on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle from Matty Pearson, in which his opponent went in with his leg raised. Referee Leigh Doughty brandished a yellow card which could have been a red on another day.

James moved more freely in the second half but Pearson's lack of options in the middle may have been in his mindset as he resisted substituting the 31-year-old. Academy prospect Omar Taylor-Clarke was the only natural midfielder on the bench as he awaits his league debut.

Speaking after the game, Pearson said: "Matty James will be a concern for the weekend just because of a problem he picked up with his ankle from a challenge in the first half. But he managed to play the full game which is a credit to him."

James has been one of City's most consistent and in-form players since the turn of the year and his absence would be another blow should he fail to recover for the visit of Mick McCarthy's Championship strugglers. Andy King made his first start this year and played the full game despite doubts he would be able to play the full game due to his recent lack of minutes.

Pearson is already dealing with a small injury crisis in his squad after confirming Joe Williams will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury while defender Tomas Kalas will be out of action for around six weeks.

"It's not good news I'm afraid, for Joe that will be his season finished so that's a disappointment for himself and for us," Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol. "He's been one of our really consistent performers as of late.

"Tomas will be out for around six weeks I would assume. It could be less but I don't want to build people's expectations up necessarily. It's a setback for Tomas so in the two games he's played he's been really good for us.

"It's never easy when players have to deal with injuries but certainly for those two who have had problems over the last year or so, it's a setback for them. And certainly, for us, it will be a miss because we've got a really tight squad so players will have to step up."

Kal Naismith is likely to be out of action until after the international break leaving the manager short of options through the middle.

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