Bristol City have recalled left-back Cam Pring from his loan at Portsmouth ahead of schedule as Dean Holden looks to mitigate against the Robins alarming injury crisis.
City have 10 first-team players out injured, plus a fresh Covid-19 issue in the camp, with starting left-back Jay Dasilva out for an undefined period after undergoing surgery on a long-standing shin injury.
That leaves Tommy Rowe in the now-familiar position of City’s only left-back and Pring has been brought back to BS3 to provide cover and competition for places.
Pring made nine appearances for Kenny Jackett’s side in League One, six as a starter, continuing his progress after impressing on loan at League Two Walsall last season.
In a perfect world, City would have preferred the 22-year-old to have spent the season on the south coast before placing him first-team contention for 2021/22.
But such as the demands now being placed on the squad, as fixtures and injuries mount up, that Holden has no choice but to call on reinforcements.
That alarming injury list had included veteran midfielder Chris Brunt who on Sunday had his contract cancelled due to a calf injury which has ruled him out for at least the next three months (as revealed recently by Bristol Live).
Brunt signed a free agent at the start of the season on a one-year contract with the former Northern Ireland international making 12 appearances.
"I’d like to thank Chris for his contribution since joining us," said CEO Mark Ashton. "Unfortunately, the injury means he will miss the majority of the remaining season and we felt it was in both our interests to end the agreement now."
Pring, who's yet to make a first-team appearance for City, follows defender Brad Webb, midfielder James Morton and forwards Owura Edwards, Louis Britton and Saiko Janneh in being recalled to Ashton Gate.
City’s next fixture is against Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round at Ashton Gate on Sunday, although Pring is cup-tied having already played in the competition for Pompey.
