Football Sykes sidelined but Borges may be fit for City’s Watford test

BRISTOL City will be without Mark Sykes for their next two matches after he was forced off against Blackburn Rovers, Gerhard Struber has confirmed, but the Bristol Post understands the Robins are hopeful Neto Borges will be in contention to feature against Watford tonight.

- Dan CARTER

The Robins travel to Vicarage Road to face the Hornets as they look to bounce back from successive defeats to Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers. After 14 matches, Watford find themselves 12th in the Championship, having drawn with Ipswich Town last time out.

During City’s defeat to Blackburn in midweek, Borges was withdrawn in the first half as a precaution after experiencing tightness in his calf. The Brazilian underwent a scan on Wednesday, the results of which were not confirmed ahead of the Robins’ pre-Watford press conference, but City are understood to be hopeful he could be involved at Vicarage Road.

Things are less positive when it comes to the condition of Sykes, however. While the Republic of Ireland international isn’t set for quite as long a spell on the sidelines as Struber had first feared, his injury is expected to see him miss games on either side of the November international break.

“First of all, he has the right treatment right now,’ the head coach told the Bristol Post. “He feels much better.