As you may have gathered from the audio and written versions of Nigel Pearson's post-match dispatch at Nottingham Forest, the 2-0 defeat for Bristol City at the City Ground didn't provide much of an inspiration for too much detail.
Outside of the performance, of chief concern was Tomas Kalas' injury with the Czech Republic international leaving the field seven minutes from time – the first time he hasn't completed a match since 11 minutes as a substitute against Middlesbrough on August 14.
Pearson wasn't able to give a great deal over the status of the 28-year-old, declaring: "I don’t know how serious it is. He couldn’t carry on. It’s just a knock. He couldn’t carry on so it’s not just precautionary. He’s got something but I don’t know what." This is completely fair enough given how quickly he spoke after the game and the need for greater medical investigation.
But the fact he was able to give Andi Weimann a clean bill of health only gives rise to the concern that Kalas might not be fit to face Birmingham City on Saturday. Time will tell, of course, with Pearson due to address the media on Thursday but, in the meantime, here are the defenders available to the Robins manager outside of his premier centre-back.
Who’s fit?
Robbie Cundy
After being plagued with knee trouble at the start of this season, the 25-year-old has been eased into first-team duty with four substitute appearances and has mostly impressed albeit with an average of just 16 minutes per game, with his 45 at Forest the most so far.
He will surely be in line to make his full debut on Saturday if Kalas isn’t declared fit enough to start in what will be an important end to the season for Cundy given his contract expires in the summer.
As a side-point, if he was to make his first start this weekend without Kalas, it wouldn't be the ideal situation for Pearson as he noted two weeks ago the dangers of placing inexperienced players (albeit with Cundy now 25) in difficult and challenging situations.
Jay Dasilva
City’s switch in playing style has helped but he deserves huge credit for the way he’s fought his way back into first-team contention, which has been achieved largely by playing at right-back or right wing-back.
He was among the few positives from Saturday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest and although there have been some worrying moments – his far post defending at Swansea – Dasilva has played 90 minutes in City’s last six matches, indicating he’s earned his manager’s trust.
Timm Klose
A signing that wasn’t planned in the long-term but was very much needed in the wake of Nathan Baker’s prolonged absence. However, amidst the Kalas uncertainty, it looks even more important than ever.
City haven’t looked considerably better defensively since the Swiss arrived, but his own individual performances have been mostly very good. Keeping the 33-year-old fit, for at least the next few weeks, looks more important than ever.
Cam Pring
Has played a variety of roles – wing-back, left-back and left-sided centre-back – which has proved not only useful in filling a gap but also in how tactically flexible Pearson can afford to be.
At the start of the season, Pearson did appear slightly reluctant to play the 24-year-old as a full-back, with Pring often in a more advanced role. It will be interesting to see what effect his torrid time defending Djed Spence has moving forward.
Danny Simpson
The veteran is very much fit and available and has been since he last played for the first team, against West Brom on October 23. Since then Simpson’s status has fallen considerably.
He did play for the Under-23s last month against Cardiff and with the return fixture in Wales on Tuesday, perhaps the 33-year-old could repeat the trick to try and keep his match fitness to an acceptable level.
However, having been passed over so many times since Huddersfield – Dasilva, Zak Vyner and George Tanner have all been preferred – it’s hard to consider him as a realistic option, as he’s made the bench just once this year.
Zak Vyner
Was taken out of the firing line following the defeat to Swansea and hasn’t featured in the three fixtures since, although he has been included in the matchday 18 on each occasion.
Vyner very much embodies City’s defensive issues this term as he can be composed and assured one game, only for a catastrophic error to emerge the next. Pearson has commented on his need to show greater reliability – which he has done sporadically – but that may now be tested further, depending on Kalas.
Who’s injured?
Rob Atkinson
The summer signing hasn’t played since leaving the field just 16 minutes in the Severnside Derby which was his first start since late December. At the time Atkinson thought it was a back problem but Pearson has since confirmed it’s an issue with his calf, the same injury that he suffered in November, denying him a place in the team at Coventry.
At the start of February, Pearson seemed hopeful that the 23-year-old was around three weeks away but that timeline has now been extended into March with Curtis Fleming revealing last week that Atkinson was yet to return to training. That would render Saturday’s visit of Birmingham City a long shot, should he be required to play.
Nathan Baker
It’s pleasing to know the centre-back has made regular trips to Failand to see his teammates and not exist in what must be a frustrating and difficult period of isolation as he deals with the after-effects of a second concussion, sustained at Sheffield United in November.
Pearson admitted in January it would be a “surprise” if the 30-year-old plays again this season and given the seriousness of his injury, and the (thankful) lack of urgency to bring him back, that looks an increasingly likely outcome.
George Tanner
The right-back has suffered the same hamstring injury twice this season, with the second instance keeping him on the sidelines for 12 matches, considerably longer than the four games he was denied earlier in the campaign.
Pearson indicated a two-month timeframe after he left the field against QPR but that has now all-but passed with Fleming also stating the 22-year-old is yet to return to full training, meaning his expected return has been extended by at least another week, and quite possibly more. In a similar fashion to their management of Joe Williams’ hamstrings, Tanner won’t be rushed back ahead of schedule.
Ryley Towler
Has experienced back problems for much of the year, related to his age and how his body is continuing to grow amid the stresses and strains of professional football. He was spotted last week involved in a running session at Failand implying he could be nearing a return but, based on his performance against Millwall in late December, is he ready to be a Championship-level centre-back?
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