Bristol City will be without Sinclair Armstrong for their clash with QPR at Ashton Gate after Liam Manning confirmed the forward had picked up a “little injury”.
The Robins welcome Marti Cifuentes’ side to BS3 on Saturday lunchtime as they look to secure a first win in three games having failed to win either of their last two Championship matches against Portsmouth and Sunderland.
QPR are unbeaten in their last five matches and are looking to extend their winning run to three games when they travel to the West Country this weekend having beaten Oxford United at Loftus Road last time out.
While there was a chance Armstrong would lead the line against his former club having been named in the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light, the 21-year-old isn’t ready to feature against Cifuentes’ side, but the exact nature of his injury remains unclear.
“Sincs has picked up a little injury so he’s going to be missing for the weekend,” Manning confirmed on Friday afternoon. “We’re still assessing that at the moment. Like I said, it’s going to be a while, we’re just looking at it at the minute with some assessments so I’ll let you know when we know.”
Although City have managed to avoid picking up any major injuries in the run-up to the busy festive period, Manning’s options have been limited, particularly in midfield and at right-back, in recent weeks as the likes of George Tanner, Ross McCrorie and Mark Sykes all continue their recovery from injury.
During that trio’s absence, both Zak Vyner and George Earthy have deputised at right-back with varying degrees of success as Manning has switched between a back three and a back four within matches.
However, both McCrorie and Scott Twine are once again available for selection, with the Reds boss confirming the latter had managed to shake off the illness that ruled him out of the defeat to Portsmouth and the 1-1 draw with Sunderland to train with his teammates.
“Twiney trained today and is contention,” revealed the 39-year-old. “Ross McCrorie is in contention as well and George Tanner has been back doing bits this week as well.
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“So we’ve got a few more bodies back this week and it’s really nice to see their faces back on the grass as well so we’ve got a few more options. It might be a little early for some but it’s a decision I have to make this afternoon.”
Bristol City have only managed to win one of their five matches since the November international break, but that victory came against Plymouth Argyle when the Reds ran riot to beat Wayne Rooney’s side 4-0 in their last match at Ashton Gate.
Although QPR are expected to provide a tough test for the Robins having kept clean sheets in each of their last four matches, the City boss believes his side has enough quality to claim all three points, especially in front of the home crowd in BS3.
“It’ll be a tough game, but one we’re looking forward to,” admitted Manning. “Delighted to get back. I think us having the extra day, although we travelled they played Wednesday and if we can generate a noise and atmosphere from the off, Leeds was a special one close to my heart and if we can get anywhere close to that from the start of the game, the energy and atmosphere of the place will make it really difficult for QPR.
“It will definitely give our lads a lift and hopefully we can then go on and put on a performance and get the win that we want.”