Bristol City manager Michael Skubala has offered an encouraging update on centre-back Rob Dickie, saying the knee injury the defender sustained last month is "not anything too sinister" and that the club expect to have him back in contention before Christmas.

Dickie injury update

Dickie went down clutching his knee midway through the second half of City's match against Lincoln City and was stretchered off after receiving treatment on the pitch. The severity of the injury was unclear heading into the international break, with supporters and club staff alike bracing for a potentially lengthy absence.

Skubala moved to ease those concerns when speaking to the media this week. "It's not as bad as we first thought, so that's great," the Bristol City head coach said. "He is nearly on the grass starting to get back on his own, that won't be season-ending. We're really happy that we think we'll see him before Christmas, maybe even earlier, so that's good news."

Dickie's return will come as a significant boost to a Bristol City defensive unit that has been navigating the Championship campaign without one of its most reliable operators. Losing a centre-back to a stretchered exit is rarely anything but alarming, so the news that the timeline is measured in weeks rather than months will lift the mood considerably at Ashton Gate.

McNally back in contention after long lay-off

Skubala also confirmed that fellow defender Luke McNally is available for selection for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury back in February 2025. McNally, who has been sidelined for the best part of eight months, scored in a friendly against Crystal Palace last week in his first unofficial start since that lay-off.

"He's there for selection, the challenge is probably not every game," Skubala said. "It's a different one with how we manage Luke. He could be available on a Saturday but not a Tuesday. He can definitely be thrown into the hat with selection, which is another good problem for me to have. I thought he was looking strong."

The manager's phrasing is telling: managing McNally's minutes carefully after such a lengthy absence is the sensible approach, and Skubala's description of it as "a good problem" suggests real confidence that the Irishman is back to something close to full fitness rather than merely available in name only.

De Keersmaecker ready for debut

There was further positive news in the form of midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker, who has yet to appear for the Robins since joining on loan from Oxford United. The Belgian's debut has been delayed by a shoulder injury that cut his season short in February, but Skubala indicated the wait is now over.

"He's fit, he's ready to go, he's ready for selection. He's built up, he's in a different place to Luke in terms of injury," the manager said. De Keersmaecker's availability gives Skubala an additional option in the middle of the park, and the hope will be that the midfielder can make up for lost time as the Championship season enters its autumn phase.

A timely lift for City

The convergence of three positive injury updates in a single press conference is the kind of thing Championship managers seldom take for granted. With Dickie on the mend, McNally cautiously reintegrated and De Keersmaecker finally ready to play, Skubala has more defensive and midfield depth to work with than he has had since the campaign began. How quickly he can fold those players back into the group, and how effectively, may well shape Bristol City's second-tier ambitions over the coming months.

Frequently asked

How long is Rob Dickie out for Bristol City?
Manager Michael Skubala says Dickie's knee injury is less serious than first feared and that Bristol City hope to have him back before Christmas, with a possible return even earlier than that.
Is Luke McNally fit for Bristol City?
Yes. McNally is available for selection for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in February 2025. Skubala has indicated he will be managed carefully and may not be available for every fixture.
When will Brian De Keersmaecker make his Bristol City debut?
Skubala confirmed De Keersmaecker is fit and ready for selection, meaning the Belgian midfielder, who joined on loan from Oxford United, could make his first appearance for the Robins imminently.