If the worst possible outcome is confirmed, then Bristol City will be without Rob Atkinson for the rest of the season and into the beginning of next.
The 24-year-old was stretched off following an innocuous challenge with Amad Diallo in the draw with Sunderland right in front of the dugout. Nigel Pearson is likely to provide an update during this afternoon's press conference ahead of Saturday's contest with Hull although he suggested immediately after the game that he may have endured an ACL injury.
Although it can fluctuate, the usual time for full recovery from that type of injury is between six and nine months. Andi Weimann was out of action for almost nine months when he ruptured his ligament in 2020, while Ayman Benarous was set to be sidelined for seven months until he re-ruptured his ACL in December.
While the news would be heartbreaking for Atkinson who has enjoyed a fine season, the City manager will need to find a new solution at the back with options already thin on the ground. They were hopeful of signing central defender Jake O'Brien on loan from Crystal Palace in the summer but the Robins wouldn't entertain the Premier League side's loan fee.
Pearson will be hoping Kal Naismith can recover swiftly from a calf injury. Last Thursday, he couldn't put a timeline on his comeback instead suggesting he's a few weeks away from being considered for selection.
However having picked up a similar injury earlier in the campaign that ruled him out for two months, City will understandably err on the side of caution when bringing him back into the first-team frame. Under-21 talents Raph Araoye and Jamie Knight-Lebel are also currently injured and therefore won't be considered for selection, although Bristol Live understands it's only for a short period of time.
City have some big games fast approaching including Manchester City next week in the FA Cup fifth round before a trip to Severnside rivals Cardiff. Here's a rundown of the central defensive options available for the manager heading into the next run of matches starting with Hull on Saturday.
Tomas Kalas
The obvious stand-in for Atkinson given Naismith's injury. City's record signing played 75 minutes against Sunderland - the most amount of minutes he's featured in since March having battled with his own groin and knee issues.
Kalas, 29, was steady against the Black Cats and eased himself back into competitive action having rarely featured over the last 11 months. He finally made his eagerly-anticipated return to action as a substitute against Millwall in October and would play another two minutes against West Brom until he suffered a setback with a knee issue.
Three months later, he was back in the fold and before Saturday, had played just 55 minutes of Championship football with City eager not to overload him on his comeback. Pearson has always spoken positively about his recovery with an emphasis on making sure he'll be able to stay fit for the rest of the season.
The proof will be in the pudding and now his fitness levels and body are set to be tested. It will be interesting to determine whether Pearson plans to rotate him with Saturday the first of seven matches in three weeks - a gruelling schedule for a player who hasn't featured on a regular basis.
Only one other Championship player has averaged more headers than Atkinson this season and Kalas is more than capable of filling his boots but lacks the ability to carry the ball forward. As a right-footer, he may also find it difficult to offer the same balance alongside Zak Vyner to his left.
Andy King
As we've seen in parts this season, Pearson has no issue with playing the experienced Andy King in defence when needed. Barring his afternoon in the 2-1 defeat at home to Stoke City, perhaps amplified by the fact he kept Atkinson out of the side, the utility player has proven he's able to fill the role when called upon.
However, the five appearances he has made as a central defender this season have all come when City were playing with three at the back. It meant he could sit as the deepest allowing the two players on either side of him to do the leg work.
In a two, King may be more susceptible to pace on his outside and his lack of aerial threat would be a cause for concern. However, given his experience and excellent positional awareness, King would likely be chosen ahead of certain youngsters breaking through.
Cam Pring
Similar to King, Pearson has had to call upon Cam Pring to play on the left of the defensive three this season. It actually proved the catalyst to his terrific run of form that has seen him cement his place in the side as first-choice left-back.
He started four games in the middle, with City conceding just three times before moving back out to a wide role following the return of Naismith. Playing in a two would be a relatively unknown quantity but if he finds himself caught out positionally, he has the pace to backtrack and defend against his man.
As a natural left-footer, he would also seem like the obvious candidate behind Kalas should the Czech Republic international require a rest. It would also allow Jay Dasilva to come back into the set-up at left-back and he will be itching to make the most of his opportunity.
Despite losing his place in the side, Dasilva still showed he has a big role to play after winning the penalty just minutes after coming on at the weekend.
George Tanner
Having finally cemented his position in his favoured right-back role, there will be a reluctance to shift Tanner back into the middle given the consistency of his performances. He's also built a good rapport with Mark Sykes and Zak Vyner down his side.
Tanner did play three games as a right-sided central defender before the New Year and impressed, including in the 3-1 victory over Rotherham following the World Cup break. He has proven he can play a role there if called upon, but he may lack the height to play in a defensive two.
His move into the middle would also leave City short of options at right-back. Kane Wilson featured for 90 minutes in the Under-21's defeat against Colchester on Tuesday afternoon in another step up in his recovery.
But throwing him back into first-team action would seem premature given he's only recently comeback from knee surgery that kept him out of action for around three months. Pearson has also confirmed he is still short of match fitness before he's being considered for a matchday squad.
Duncan Idehen
Probably the most likely of the youngsters to make the step up, at least to the substitute bench if needed over the next few weeks, a theory only accentuated by injuries to Knight-Lebel and Araoye.
Idehen, 20, broke into the first-team at the end of last season with two substitute cameos against Derby County and Huddersfield Town. However, he was sent out on loan to Carlisle at the beginning of the season but barely featured, earning just 19 minutes of football in League Two. Paul Simpson suggested he failed to do enough to earn himself regular minutes before being recalled by City in the January window.
He has since become a regular with the Under-21 side, playing in the middle of the defensive three. Whilst likely to be behind Kalas, Pring and King in the pecking order, Idehen may come into the matchday squad to provide cover at the back.
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
READ NEXT
