Bristol City defender Tomas Kalas appears to be closing in on a first-team return having taken part in a full training session on Tuesday as the Robins prepare to take on Sunderland this weekend.
Kalas hasn’t played since March 5, missing the final 10 games of last season and underwent groin surgery before sustaining an undisclosed secondary problem over the summer, which limited his involvement in pre-season.
The Czech Republic international joined the squad in Austria for their training camp but didn’t appear in any of their friendlies and manager Nigel Pearson has been reluctant to place a timeframe on his return.
But the 29-year-old was fully involved during an open training session at Ashton Gate on Tuesday, displaying no visible discomfort or reluctance to play at full tilt during his time on the field.
In one piece of action, Kalas sprinted 30 yards to dive, slide and then connect with a half-volley at the far post, smiling as the ball bounced just over the goal. He also joked with coaches after accidentally kicking a pile of bibs instead of the ball while stationed on the byline during an exercise.
Speaking last week, Pearson admitted the key for the defender was learning to play with as little pain as possible and the next few days could hold the key as to whether he’ll be included for Saturday’s Championship encounter against Sunderland.
Zak Vyner started as City’s right-sided centre-back against Hull City last Saturday but the 25-year-old was surprisingly absent on Tuesday. Pearson also has Timm Klose available to play in that position but, as his manager admitted, the Swiss was not at his imperious best during the pre-season schedule.
Fellow injured duo Antoine Semenyo and Ayman Benarous were also at Ashton Gate but weren’t involved in the sessions with the rest of the squad, instead taking part in some light bike work by the dugouts.
Semenyo is recovering from a shin issue sustained while on international duty with Ghana, with Pearson remaining cautious over a potential timeline for his return, while Benarous is on the comeback from an ACL injury and isn’t expected to be back in action until the end of the year.
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