Bristol City midfielder Korey Smith is set to make his comeback from injury on Monday afternoon with an appearance for the club's Under-23 side against Cardiff City.

Smith has played just 146 minutes of action since suffering ligament damage back in August 2018, while he has now not featured for Lee Johnson's side since being forced off during the Robins' clash with Reading back in April.

This means the 28-year-old has been forced to watch on during Bristol City's impressive start to the season, which has seen them suffer defeat in just two of their opening 16 matches, but Smith is now set to return to action during Monday's youth match.

Bristol City shared the news of Smith's long-awaited return via their Twitter account ahead of the match:

There were a host of other senior players also named in the starting line-up against the Bluebirds with the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Rodri and Taylor Moore also getting a run-out.

The match comes just one day after Bristol City's first team sealed an impressive 1-0 victory over Cardiff in the Welsh capital, with Josh Brownhill scoring the game's only goal to end Neil Warnock's side's unbeaten home run in the league.

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The Verdict

It will be hugely encouraging if Smith can get through this Under-23 clash unscathed, as this would mark a significant step in the recovery of a player who is so important to this Bristol City side when he is fully fit.

Smith will add further depth to the Robins' midfield, which has just been boosted by the return of summer signing Adam Nagy from a lengthy injury, and this will definitely aid the promotion effort for Lee Johnson's side this season.

It is important that Smith is not rushed back to full fitness given the extent of his recent injury problems, but Bristol City fans will surely now be keen to see him in the match-day squad for the Nottingham Forest clash after the international break.