Football City boss Manning expects Sykes to be fit again for pre-season

LIAM Manning has provided a Bristol City injury update after the Robins' season came to an end at the hands of Sheffield United in the play-offs, confirming that while Mark Sykes is expected to be able to take part in pre-season, Joe Williams will require surgery on the ankle issue he sustained against the Blades.

- Daniel CARTER

City’s first Championship play-off campaign in 17 years ended in a disappointing fashion as the Reds were beaten 6-0 on aggregate by Chris Wilder's side.

Having lost 3-0 in the home leg at Ashton Gate last week, goals from Kieffer Moore, Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare at Bramall Lane on Monday evening were enough for the Blades to book their spot in the Wembley final, where they will face Sunderland.

Williams missed the second leg, having been forced off in the first half of the first game with what Manning confirmed to be an ankle ligament injury. Luke McNally and Sykes both missed both play-off games, as well as the majority of the run-in, with their own separate issues. McNally's season was ended prematurely in February when he sustained a knee injury in the Robins’ defeat to Swansea City, while Sykes hasn't been able to take part in any of City’s last seven games after pulling his quad ahead of the draw with QPR at Loftus Road.