Skubala hopes to have Dickie back before Christmas

Bristol City hope to have centre-back Rob Dickie back before Christmas with the injury that saw him carried off against Lincoln City last month not as "sinister" as first thought, said manager Michael Skubala. Dickie went down clutching his knee midway through the second half against the Imps and was stretchered off after receiving treatment on the pitch, with the condition of his injury not known prior to the international break. "It's not as bad as we first thought, so that's great," Skubala 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, it's not anything too sinister." Fellow defender Luke McNally is also available for selection for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in February 2025. McNally scored a goal in a friendly match against Crystal Palace last week, in his first unofficial start for the club since the long lay-off. "He's there for selection, the challenge is probably not every game," Skubala added. "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." Midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker is also available having yet to make his debut for the Robins since moving from Oxford United on loan. The Belgian has not played since February when his season was ended by a shoulder injury. "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," Skubala said. Latest Bristol City news, analysis and fan views