Bristol City manager Michael Skubala has delivered a positive injury update ahead of the Championship trip to face Burnley this weekend. Speaking after Tuesday's win over Preston North End, Skubala confirmed the return of key defenders and provided a timeline for a new signing's integration.
The Robins, currently sitting 6th in the Championship with 7 points from four games, travel to Turf Moor on Saturday, September 5th. They face a Burnley side propping up the table in 23rd place, still searching for their first win after relegation. City's recent form reads WWDL, and they have scored seven goals while conceding six so far this season.
Michael Skubala confirmed there are no fresh injury concerns following the midweek victory at Deepdale. More importantly, two players who missed that match are now back with the group. Defender George Tanner, who was absent through injury, has resumed training. "George Tanner is back and on the grass already, which we knew about, so that's why we took that precaution," Skubala said. "So we feel we're in a strong place."
Centre-back Rob Atkinson is also available again after missing the Preston game due to a personal matter. His return bolsters City's defensive options significantly. The only senior players not involved are long-term injury absentee Luke McNally and the newly-arrived Brian De Keersmaecker, who is not yet match-fit.
Bristol City confirmed the loan signing of midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker in the early hours of deadline day, shortly after the Preston win. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent for the 26-year-old. However, fans will have to wait to see him in action from the start.
Skubala explained that the Belgian player needs time to build up his match sharpness. De Keersmaecker did not feature in pre-season or the opening weeks of the campaign for his former club, Oxford United, following Aaron Ramsey's appointment as manager there. He last played competitively in January, providing an assist in an away win at Leicester City before undergoing shoulder surgery that ended his season. He is healthy and training now, but is likely a few weeks away from being ready for a first start.
This match presents an opportunity for Bristol City to secure a third consecutive victory. Their opponents, Burnley, have struggled since dropping from the Premier League, picking up just two points from their first four league games. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, where Ugo Raghouber's second-half strike cancelled out Aidan Morris's opener.
City's own campaign has been solid, leaving them just three points behind early leaders Swansea City. The team's current position and goal difference of +1 can be tracked on our standings page. A positive result at Turf Moor would maintain their strong early-season momentum.
With Tanner and Atkinson back in contention, Skubala has a near-full squad to select from, aside from the specific cases of McNally and De Keersmaecker. This depth will be vital as the Championship schedule intensifies. Supporters can view the full roster and check availability on our squad page.
The manager's update, summarised by his comment that there are "no new injuries from Tuesday night, which is great," provides a significant boost. It means City can approach a key away fixture with confidence and a strong selection of players. The next challenge is an away trip to face Burnley on Saturday, September 5th, a fixture detailed on our fixtures list.
