Bristol City have received a significant defensive boost with the early return of Rob Dickie ahead of their home match against Norwich City. The 30-year-old centre-back is available for selection after a knee injury that has kept him out for seven league games.
Manager Michael Skubala confirmed the positive news. "Rob is up for selection so that's great news," Skubala said. "Credit to the medical team and Rob for getting him back in November when we thought it was going to be not before Christmas." Dickie suffered the injury against Lincoln City in September, and his comeback arrives as City sit 15th in the Championship with 18 points from 14 games.
Attacking options assessed
The squad news is not entirely positive in the forward line. Striker Elijah Adebayo returns from a three-match absence with a quad strain, but Skubala indicated he is unlikely to be ready for a full 90 minutes. Fellow forward Lorent Tolaj, 25, is also set to feature despite not being at full fitness after picking up a knock against Stoke last month.
In midfield, Joe Williams is available for selection. Defender Luke McNally is also making his way back from a long-term ACL injury, providing further depth. The return of key personnel is welcome for a side that has scored just once in its last three matches at Ashton Gate and has managed only one win in its last five league outings, a run that includes last Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Wolves.
Context for Norwich clash
City's recent form reads one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five, leaving them ten points adrift of the league summit. Scott Twine, the club's top scorer with five goals this season, netted in the recent loss to Wolves. The immediate focus is on improving a home record that has yielded a single goal in the last three fixtures there. The next opportunity comes this Saturday when Norwich, currently 12th, visit Ashton Gate. Skubala has suggested his side might feel more expressive away from home, making a positive result in front of their own fans this weekend all the more important for halting the recent slide.
Background and full detail: bbc.com
