Nigel Pearson has ruled Kal Naismith, Tomas Kalas and Alex Scott out of Bristol City's two Easter weekend fixtures as he errs on the side of caution with their recoveries.
Scott, 19, is coming back from a minor knee ligament injury sustained on international duty that kept him out of last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Reading. On Saturday, Pearson confirmed he would be out of action for up to 10 days suggesting there may have been an opportunity for him to face Middlesbrough on Monday, but the teenager looks more likely to return for the trip to Watford on April 15.
Naismith's continued absence from a calf injury remains a frustration having missed the last 11 games. Pearson was hopeful of having the 31-year-old available for the Good Friday trip to Stoke and Boro but, despite returning to full training, the two games will come too soon for him.
Kalas, who has been sidelined for the last five games with a knee issue, is also expected back for the final five games of the season. Speaking ahead of Friday's game, Pearson said: "We've had Kal Naismith train fully today and Tomas is back out there too so he'll do a bit more over the next week so hopefully we'll have both of those players back after the Easter programme in some guise.
"On top of that, Alex Scott is making good progress so again, not for this weekend but hopefully afterwards, he'll be available."
When asked whether he'll have to remain cautious with Naismith's game time when he does make a return with the Scot having not played since February 4, Pearson added: "It's more about us making sure he's back and stays back. That's the big thing.
"He needs to build up the amount of training that he does so he was involved in the 11 vs 11 this morning which is always an important part of the week's preparation and was fine so no problems with that. I suppose a lot will depend on the state of the pitches as well and how he feels with himself.
"There's no point generalising players. We're always mindful of whether players are either confident or have that physical robustness.
"It's different with each player but for players who experience one injury and then pick another one up afterward - we've had a couple of those over the last year or so - I think psychologically it's quite a challenge for them.
"It's important not to put undue risk in front of the players that hinders their commitment to play. Kal, once he's on the pitch, he becomes what he is on the pitch and that is a player who drives others on and sets high standards for himself.
"That's up to us to pitch it right and make sure it's as safe as it can be but you can never get rid of risk altogether."
Pearson will also remain realistic with Tommy Conway's amount of minutes over the long weekend following his comeback on Saturday. The young striker played 60 minutes following his three-month absence from a hamstring injury and showed no signs of needing to get up to speed with City's only goal on the stroke of half-time.
"We decided before the game that 60 minutes will be tops for him," Pearson added. "He went 60 minutes but he was definitely starting to blow up before that so it's about being realistic.
"You have to remember that players who play in a very explosive way like he does, you have to be sensible and I don't want players pacing themselves either.
"That's one thing I can't stand and that is players who just try and get through situations. I want them to play flat out and if it means they only last half a game then I'll accept that more than somebody who just wants to look after themselves."
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
READ NEXT
