Bristol City coach issues injury update on Kenyan defender after Leicester withdrawal
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 12.12.25. | 11:20
Struber explained that withdrawing Vyner was both a tactical adjustment and a protective measure
Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber has given an update on Harambee Stars defender Zak Vyner after the centre back was withdrawn during their 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Wednesday night.
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Vyner was replaced by Neto Borges at the start of the second half after appearing to struggle with a knee issue that affected his performance in the opening period.
Vyner, who was positioned on the left side of the back three, endured a difficult moment in the build up to Leicester’s second goal.
Although he could have benefited from more support from Cam Pring and Anis Mehmeti, he allowed Abdul Fatawu to glide past him too easily before the winger squared the ball to Bobby De Cordova-Reid to score.
Struber later suggested that the defender had been feeling discomfort in his knee, which influenced the decision to bring him off at halftime.
“I would say I was clear about what we had to change at halftime,” he said. “Also, we have one or other personnel change. First of all, with Zaky, this was also because he felt a little bit in the knee. He was not 100 percent ready after 25 minutes, so this was important to save him and protect him from maybe an injury. We don’t know exactly what’s going on. The other one, I felt that we needed a different power on the last line, and I would say Sincs showed us again a really good performance.”
Bristol City had fallen 2-0 behind after goals from Jordan Ayew and De Cordova-Reid, but they mounted an impressive fightback to claim a point, with Mark Sykes and Emil Riis finding the back of the net.
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The Robins now sit in tenth place in the Championship table after 20 matches and remain only one point outside the playoff positions, keeping them firmly in the hunt as the season continues to gather pace.
Struber explained that withdrawing Vyner was both a tactical adjustment and a protective measure.
He said the defender did not feel fully comfortable after the opening half hour and that the technical staff did not want to risk aggravating the issue.
He added that he also felt a fresh influence was needed on the last line of defence, noting that substitute Sincs delivered a strong performance during the second half.
When asked whether Vyner will require a scan, the manager said he would consult the medical team before making a determination.
He noted that Vyner is known for his resilience and ability to play through discomfort, and expressed hope that the Kenyan international will be ready for the upcoming fixture.
“I don’t know. I have to speak right now with the medical team. This could be a yes, but at the same time, Zaky is a man. He can handle pain, and hopefully he’s ready for the next game.”
Bristol City will return to action this weekend with a demanding away trip to the CBS Arena to face league leaders Coventry City.
The match is expected to provide another stern test as the Robins look to maintain momentum.
Meanwhile, the club has been in discussions with Vyner regarding a contract extension.
His current deal is set to expire in June 2026, and although talks are ongoing, it remains uncertain whether an agreement will be reached.
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The defender attracted interest from Wrexham during the last transfer window after their promotion under Phil Parkinson, but no move materialised and he remained at Ashton Gate beyond the September deadline.
Vyner, 28, has spent his entire career with Bristol City, progressing through the academy before gaining valuable experience during loan spells at Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United and Aberdeen.
He has gone on to make 246 appearances for the club in all competitions and has scored four goals, cementing his place as one of the side’s most experienced and dependable players.
