Nigel Pearson has challenged Tomas Kalas to grasp his opportunity on the back of Rob Atkinson's ACL injury and earn himself a new Bristol City contract.
The Robins manager confirmed the club's worst fears during Wednesday's press conference that Atkinson has been ruled out for the rest of the season, and perhaps into the beginning of next, following the injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
While it proves a significant blow for both player and manager, it provides Kalas with the chance to earn regular minutes following his long-awaited return to full fitness. A series of groin and knee issues have meant he hasn't started a game for 11 months.
His 75-minute cameo at weekend was the longest he has featured since last March having racked up just 130 minutes of Championship football this season. However, Kalas put in a strong and committed performance to instil further confidence he is a more than adequate replacement at the back.
His quality isn't in doubt but there are question marks over his durability given City's run of seven games in three weeks. Kalas also has the extra incentive to cement his place at the back alongside Zak Vyner with his future beyond this season still uncertain.
The 29-year-old, who is one of the highest earners in the squad, is out of contract at the end of the season and Pearson insinuated a new deal could be dependent on whether he can keep himself fit between now and the end of the season.
"I think he took his chance well when he went on," Pearson said. "He played pretty well and Tom now gets an opportunity to play in the team and earn a new contract.
"Tomas knows what his situation is, he's played very little football for a year so it's in our interest to make sure he's able to play regularly again. That's the way it is, there are no shortcuts I'm afraid.
"I'm glad we've got him, he's a good player and he's good around the place too so let's see what the next few weeks bring.
With Atkinson's injury and Kal Naismith out until next month due to a calf problem, the balance of playing with a left-footed player to the left of the right-footed Zak Vyner will be disrupted. Pearson acknowledged that could have an impact playing out from the back but it's not something that will overly concern him.
Atkinson and Naismith, when he's played in defence, have also shown themselves to be progressive carriers of the ball out of the back something that Kalas can do, to an extent, but isn't necessarily one of his key attributes.
"Sometimes playing out, it’s not as fluid," Pearson added. "But I don’t think people realise how many centre-back partnerships don’t have balance so it doesn’t really worry me too much.
"We’ve got a performer in Tomas who is experienced at this level. He needs to draw on all of his knowledge and experience to continue in the same vein as he did at the weekend.
“He knows he’s in a situation. He’s wanted the opportunity to play and so it’s come about through somebody else’s misfortune but that’s normally the nature of football.
"I always want the competition to be really keen and I always prefer to have players to have something to play for and Tomas certainly has that.
“He’s been really supportive of the players who have been there. He’s had a few situations when he’s gone on late in games and he recognises he’s had to be patient to get his opportunity again. Now he’s got it, it’s over to him now."
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