Nigel Pearson has eased concerns over Kal Naismith's calf injury by suggesting it's not as serious in comparison to the one he suffered earlier in the season.
The 30-year-old was replaced by Joe Williams after 30 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Preston although didn't appear in major discomfort as he made his way off the pitch. Naismith went straight to the dugout instead of heading down the tunnel to receive treatment.
Pearson confirmed it was a calf issue after the game but said they would need two days to assess the severity of it before determining whether he would be forced to miss any matches.
The Bristol City manager couldn't go into further detail about the extent of the problem but said after the game: "We'll have a look over the next two days. I don't think it's as serious as before. It's his calf."
Naismith was hampered by a calf issue picked up during a 0-0 draw with Coventry at the beginning of October. He subsequently was forced to miss 10 matches before returning two months later in a 3-1 victory at Rotherham following the World Cup break.
City take on Norwich at Ashton Gate next weekend before a hectic run of five games in 17 days including the FA Cup clash at home to Manchester City and an away trip to Severnside rivals Cardiff.
The Robins are light of options in the middle of the park with Joe Williams the only substitute named among the matchday squad on Saturday. Andy King and youngster Omar Taylor-Clarke are also available should Naismith be ruled out for a stretch of matches.
City will be boosted with the return of Kane Wilson who started in the Under-21's victory over Everton on Sunday. The right wing-back played 65 minutes with the youngsters who secured their passage into the last eight of the Premier League Cup thanks to goals from Seb Palmer-Houlden and Sam Pearson.
Wilson hasn't featured since October 1 when he picked up a knee issue against Queens Park Rangers before being forced to undergo surgery. The 22-year-old right wing-back wrote on Twitter on Sunday: "Day 125. Felt so good to pull on a football kit again!
"Well done to the boys as well, getting into the next round."
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