From the post-January glow as Nigel Pearson’s squad options suddenly looked bountiful, Bristol City are having to negotiate the next week before the international squad with barely enough players to fill out an 18-man matchday squad.
Pearson has one fit senior centre-back in Zak Vyner, a situation that won’t change until Kal Naismith returns - if you even consider him a centre-back - towards the end of the month, and potentially two centre-midfielders in Alex Scott and Andy King.
That situation could be improved if Matty James is cleared to play against Blackpool today but with games on the horizon against Luton Town and then Swansea City, even if the 31-year-old can play at Ashton Gate, it seems a stretch to expect him to then play three matches inside eight days, something we’ve not even considered from King’s perspective.
