Football Robins winger Sykes set for a few weeks on the sidelines

BRISTOL

- Dan CARTER

Mark Sykes, right, challenges Coventry's Jack Rudoni for the ball

(Picture: Getty Images)

City will be without Mark Sykes for the next few weeks after he sustained a quad injury, Gerhard Struber has confirmed, with the Robins boss providing an update on the winger, Zak Vyner, George Tanner and Rob Atkinson ahead of Middlesbrough's trip to Ashton Gate.The Robins welcome Kim Hellberg's side to the West Country on Saturday afternoon as they look to secure a first win in four outings in their final game before Christmas. After 21 games, Boro sit second in the Championship, having won all four matches they've played under their new manager.

City, on the other hand, were beaten by Coventry City last time out, and the disappointment of the result was compounded when Sykes was forced off at halftime with what Struber confirmed in his post-match press conference to be a quad injury.

At that point, the Robins head coach was hopeful the Republic of Ireland international would be able to shake off his issue to take to the field against Middlesbrough. Now, though, having had a chance to assess the severity of the injury, a return in the new year seems more likely.