Bristol City have several players returning from injury in the coming weeks, one of them is Tomas Kalas. But will he come straight into the starting line-up?

Lee Johnson brought centre-back Tomas Kalas into Bristol City permanently in the summer, after the Czech defender impressed on-loan at Ashton Gate last season.

The Chelsea defender was one of a host of players who were dismissed by the club in the summer, another one being Jay Dasilva who was also on-loan at Bristol City last season, and who was also brought back on a permanent deal in the summer.

Kalas became the club’s record signing but after suffering a hamstring tear in his side's 3-1 win at Hull City in August, he hasn’t featured since.

But his return is due by the end of the month, and he’ll be raring to get back into the mix of things at Ashton Gate - will he be thrown straight back into the starting line-up though?

Speaking on Kalas’ status yesterday, Johnson said: 

"He won’t make it for this weekend but he probably wouldn’t have gotten in anyway with the form of the defenders – and that’s not being disrespectful to Tomas, that’s just the way the boys have been performing. 

“We know Tomas is a fantastic player and we’re desperate to get him back – but on the terms where he’s 100 per cent. 

“There are a few boxes that he has to tick tomorrow and if he feels no pain then at that point the progression comes pretty quick at integrating him back into the first team.”

In place of Kalas at the heart of the Robins' defence has been another summer-signing, Ashley Williams.

The Welshman signed a short-term contract with Bristol in the summer after being released by Stoke City.

Williams, 35, made his debut for what is his fifth career club in September against his former club Stoke, and has played every minute of every game since.

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He’s established himself as a leader in the Bristol defence, and fans have warmed to him in his short time at the club.

With Williams impressing at Ashton Gate, it sheds doubt over Kalas' position when he returns to fitness.

Johnson himself has said that Kalas probably wouldn’t have got in the team anyway, with Williams playing in a back-five between centre backs Taylor Moore and Nathan Baker.

Despite being the club’s record signing, Johnson sees no pressure in having to play Kalas every game, and would rather see him reach 100% fitness before he thinks about deploying him.

There’s so much competition at Bristol City, especially in defence. But with Williams’ contract due to expire in January, and Vincent Kompany reportedly lining up a shock move to bring the Welshman to Anderlecht in January, Kalas might have to wait until then to get some game-time under his belt.