Bristol City handed significant injury boost as trio close in on return to first-team action

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Bristol City have been given a welcome boost as Ross McCrorie, Rob Atkinson and Adam Murphy close in on returns from injury.

The trio all started City’s Under-21s Premier Development League fixture against Swansea City’s Under-21s at the Swansea.com Stadium as they look to build-up vital match minutes in a bit to regain fitness.

Despite the first-team involvement in the academy game, the Young Robins outfit went on to lose 2-0 with goals either side of half-time for the hosts.

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McCrorie, who started at right-back, and Murphy both survived the first-half before being withdrawn in what was their first appearance this season. Meanwhile Atkinson, who partnered youngster Josh Campbell-Slowey at the heart of the backline, was able to play almost 80 minutes as he came off 11 minutes from time.

Despite the result for the academy side, it would all prove valuable minutes for the injured trio, who are looking to return to first-team action for the first time this season.

McCrorie, who was looking to improve on his 22 appearances in his debut season at Ashton Gate, has been sidelined with a hamstring problem sustained on the eve of the opening-day trip to Hull City.

After travelling to the European Championships with Scotland in the summer, the right-back made two outings in pre-season upon his return to City but was an unused substitute in their final warm-up fixture against Willem II.

The 26-year-old was joined in defence by Atkinson, who is looking to finally end his 19-month injury nightmare. Despite overcoming an ACL issue picked up against Sunderland in 2023, the centre-back returned to action in February - again appearing for the Young Robins - before picking up a hamstring problem against Cardiff City Under-21s.

Although the 26-year-old recovered for pre-season, where he featured against Newport County, Cheltenham Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Atkinson was hit with another setback - this time picking up a minor groin issue.

But having survived 79 minutes on his return to match action on Monday, his involvement will come as a welcome boost for Manning.

Murphy was another name to start the contest in South Wales as he looks to build-up fitness following an injury in pre-season. After signing from Irish side St Patrick's Athletic, the 19-year-old is yet to make a first-team outing for the Robins since his arrival in January but featured twice for the academy at the backend of last season.

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