Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson says he hopes social media favourite Ryley Towler will be part of the first-team next season and plans to integrate him with the senior squad in pre-season.
The popular teenager, 19, endeared himself to supporters when going viral during the big wheels versus doors debate last month. His most recent appearance is equally as entertaining when describing the advice Rob Atkinson gave him to make a chicken wing during a cooking team bonding session on Wednesday.
Pearson could only laugh during his press conference at Towler's "antics" and suggests it won't be long before we see the player's personality back on the pitch following the progress he has made over the last year.
Towler made his City debut last February in an FA Cup game against Sheffield United and has made one league appearance this season - a 45-minute cameo in the 3-2 win over Millwall in January.
He then picked up a back problem, which Pearson said was previously linked with his age, before making a return to Under-23 action against Cardiff at the beginning of March.
However, his cameo last just 44 minutes before being forced off with another issue and Towler has been in recovery since.
With Pearson plotting defensive changes in the summer when the transfer market opens, he admitted Towler will have the opportunity to prove his worth when the group meet following the summer break.
Ahead of Saturday's game with Derby, the manager laughed when he said: "I'm aware of some of the social media stuff.
"He's a really popular lad and I think over the last 12 months he has really come on a lot. He's had a difficult time with injuries but he's looking much stronger again now and he's back in training.
"Hopefully by pre-season, he will be in a position where he's involved with the first-team squad, so he's a popular lad who has made real progress over the last two or three years and he's keeping us entertained with his antics on other platforms."
Pearson also provided an injury update on the rest of his squad ahead of the trip to Pride Park and there was some good news regarding striker Antoine Semenyo.
He limped off in the 70th minute against Sheffield United following a collision with the defender but is expected to make a return although there will be a late fitness test on wing-back Jay Dasilva after he twisted his ankle against the Blades.
Reported on City's official site, he said: "I think Antoine will be fine. There's a question mark over Jay at the moment but I'm not going to rule him out until the last moment as he has been one of our more consistent players over the last 3 or 4 months.
"I currently won't risk him if there is any sort of doubt."
Pearson also admitted George Tanner could make his return to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up in the defeat at home to Queens Park Rangers before the New Year.
Tanner has featured in two Under-23 appearances this month, earning 45 minutes and a further hour but was left out of the young squad in Tuesday's win over Colchester suggesting Pearson is casting his eye to Saturday's fixture.
Along with updates over Andy King, Joe Williams and Callum O'Dowda, Pearson added: "Andy King was back in the squad, George Tanner may even come into the reckoning this weekend too and Joe Williams will be back in contention for selection as well.
"Callum has been training regularly with the first team for a couple of weeks so there is potential for him to be available as well, we'll see."
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