Liam Manning has reported positive injury news over Ross McCrorie, Rob Atkinson and George Earthy.
Liam Manning has reported positive injury news ahead of Sunday’s encounter against Swansea City with George Earthy, Rob Atkinson and Ross McCrorie all in contention for the trip to South Wales.
McCrorie and Atkinson both came through Bristol City Under-21s’ fixture against the Swans on Monday in the Premier Development League unscathed, with the duo completing 45 and 79 minutes respectively.
For Earthy, he has been absent since the Robins’ 1-1 draw with Coventry City last month after picking up an ankle injury following a late Kasey Palmer challenge.
The trio, though, are heading in the right direction according to Manning and it remains to be seen whether they will be selected for City’s fierce contest with rivals Swansea this weekend.
When asked by BBC Radio Bristol whether the Robins boss has the same team to select from after Oxford United he said, “Yeah in terms of availability. We had an Under-21’s game on Monday away at Swansea. Rob Atkinson continued to get minutes, Ross McCrorie got a half which is good for him and George Earthy has had an extra three days of training.
“We’ve got a few more coming back in contention through recovering from injuries and getting back to a level of fitness where they’re ready to compete. We’ve got some good depth and some good competition.”
After arriving on loan from West Ham in the summer, Earthy would’ve been looking to get plenty of minutes under his belt as he continues his progression in men’s football. However, the 20-year-old has been sidelined for City’s previous three Championship games with his ankle injury.
Despite being rocked by the issue, the promising midfielder has bounced back well and could even be in line for his return on Sunday.
“George has been extremely unfortunate, Manning added” I thought he did really well in the first couple of games pre injury with the minutes he got and the impact he had. The injury knocked him a bit but he’s bounced back quickly, he’s looked sharp and he’s in a good spot. I’m delighted to have him back.”
Light is at the end of the tunnel for Atkinson as he closes in on a return to first-team action since February 2023. An ACL injury picked up against Sunderland sidelined the defender for 12 months before a hamstring issue and a minor groin problem delayed his recovery further.
The 26-year-old completed 79 minutes for the Young Robins on Monday as he continues to build-up his fitness, but there is still an air of caution over his involvement.
Manning added: “We have to be a little bit careful not to push him too quick and too soon. I’m sure he’ll be desperate to be playing right away but when you’ve missed 18 months and had the injuries he’s had, you’ve got to build up the volume of loads, repetition of being able to go three days of consecutive training, got 80 minutes on Monday so just building up match minutes which is really important. He’s definitely progressing, he’s looking better all the time and he’ll be in contention too.”
After an illness-hit maiden campaign at Ashton Gate which reduced McCrorie to just 22 outings, the defender has missed the opening six games of the Championship season to date after picking up a hamstring injury on the eve of the opening fixture against Hull City.
The Scotland international played 45 minutes on Monday afternoon against Swansea’s Under-21s side and is believed to be heading in the right direction.
“He played 45 minutes on Monday so he’s back in terms of full training and built up with that 45. He’s heading in the right direction and another that will be in contention.”
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