Lee Johnson is hopeful Niclas Eliasson won't be out for too long after the Bristol City winger was unable to travel to the City Ground to be part of the squad against Nottingham Forest.
Eliasson was the notable omission from Johnson's matchday squad having started against Blackburn and played 34 minutes as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Johnson revealed that the 24-year-old - who is the Robins leading assist maker with 12 - has an Achilles problem which is causing him some discomfort as the Swede joins Pedro Pereira on the treatment table.
With Cardiff City the visitors to Ashton Gate on Saturday, Johnson is remaining optimistic that Eliasson's absence from the first-team won't be for an extended period.
"He's picked up almost some form of Achilles tendinitis, it's quite difficult, it's painful for him on loan," Johnson said. "I don't think it will be too long.
"Strangely with those type of injuries you have to put more weight through it, rather than less. I think he'll be okay but certainly not ready for this one (Forest).
"It's a strange one. It hopefully won't be too bad and (he'll) maybe be back for Saturday."
Pereira remains sidelined with a torn thigh muscle sustained after the 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on June 20 with the City medical team believing the injury could keep him out for four weeks.
