Bristol City have been handed a major injury boost after defender Kal Naismith was pictured training this week. 

The experienced defender has been injured since early October after he sustained a calf injury which has kept him out of the side.

It's a timely boost for the Robins with football due to resume after this weekend and Nigel Pearson's side desperate for results.

The defender hasn't featured since the 0-0 draw with Coventry City on October 4, with an initial 10-day diagnosis then extended all the way into November.

However, despite it being a relatively straightforward injury, Nigel Pearson has tempered expectations by calling for patience on his return to action after conceding he was struggling with the load he was being put through prior to the international break.

The break has given Naismith the chance to catch up though and was seen getting ready for training via Bristol City's Twitter channel in a tongue cheek video for England's game against Wales earlier this week.

Speaking before the break, Pearson highlighted the importance of Naismith in his side, telling The Bristol Post: "Sometimes you don’t realise players until they are not there. I think that is a sign of a good player.

“I think Kal plays with a very positive intent with everything he does. He’s a good organiser too and motivated."

His return to training ahead of the December schedule is a major boost for a Bristol City side who have kept just two clean sheets in ten games without their key man.

With them sitting in 18th and just one point above the bottom three, Bristol City and Naismith will need to hit the ground running once the World Cup break ends and football resumes for Championship sides.

The Verdict

Pearson is right in suggesting that Bristol City haven't realised the impact of Naismith until he's been out of the side. With Kalas missing as well, they're without two experienced leaders in their backline which is sure to influence their defensive performances.

Getting back to clean sheets and grinding out results will be important if Bristol City are to avoid a relegation battle and another disappointing season.

They have plenty going forward but the absence of Naismith has revealed a number of issues the Robins have defensively that will need addressing sooner rather than later.