Harambee Stars prospect in contention for weekend return after positive week
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 19.12.25. | 19:05
The 28-year-old was earlier this week listed as hopeful to make a return around Christmas
Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber says Harambee Stars prospect Zak Vyner has a good chance of being in the lineup when The Robins welcome Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 20 December.
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Struber, speaking about his squad for the second time this week, lifted expectations for the 28-year-old to make a swift return to the team, having played only one half of Leicester City’s draw, and missed out on the side’s latest defeat to Coventry City on Saturday, 13 December.
Having initially leant on hope that the Kenyan would be back around Christmas, Struber changed his tone on Wednesday, 17 December, indicating there was a bigger chance for his involvement against high-flying Boro.
“At the moment, it looks good,” the Austrian manager told the club website, when asked about the probability of having injured defenders George Tanner and Vyner back in contention for Saturday.
“They had individual training sessions on Tuesday and both of them gave me really good feedback, so hopefully if everything goes right, they will be available on Saturday.”
Gerhard Struber on #BRCMID. 🗣️
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) December 19, 2025
🤝 | @GoSkippy pic.twitter.com/L3MQ7zjfep
Vyner, who broke the club’s all-time Championship appearance record in October, is reported to have missed his first game in a long while due to knee discomfort.
On Tuesday, the defender was among a group of players who were at Charlton Farm for the squad’s annual Christmas visit to Children’s Hospice South West.
Earlier this week, we made our Christmas trip to @CHSW! 🎁
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) December 17, 2025
Always a special day, Gerhard Struber and his squad helped spread festive cheer to the children and their families at this incredible facility. pic.twitter.com/AdSEjO1Owk
On the team’s injury list, Struber confirmed that midfielder Mark Sykes will remain out.
Speaking of the meeting with second-placed Boro, the 48-year-old said: “Middlesbrough are at the top of the table, but I am convinced we will also get really good chances against them and we have to use them.
"When performances are at that level, it is usually an indicator that points are coming, but we have to also be strict with ourselves and critical.
These chances can make a difference and we have to be better. At the moment where we are in the table, we can see we are a good team, and we want to be a top team.”
The Robins go into the weekend 11th on 30 points, 12 behind their immediate opponents, who occupy the last of two automatic promotion spots.
