Nigel Pearson praised Zak Vyner for developing “reliability” in his defending following a summer of transfer uncertainty.
The City academy graduate has started all 19 of the Robins' Championship games this season and despite discussions being held during the transfer window, the 25-year-old has been one of the surprise success stories of the campaign.
“He’s had to fight for his place and there were doubts over whether he was going to stay here or not,” explained Pearson in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Middlesborough.
