This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson will be coming to terms with the news that left-back Jay Dasilva will be out for up to five months with a stress fracture in his lower leg, as reported on BBC Sport
Initially the injury was not considered too serious, but following a scan it was shown the injury was worse than had first been thought.
That will be a huge disappointment for a player who joined the Robins on a permanent deal from Chelsea in June, after spending last season on loan at Ashton Gate.
How big a blow will it be for the Robins to lose Dasilva for up to five months?
We discuss........
Ned Holmes
“This is a huge blow for Lee Johnson and Bristol City.
“Dasilva developed into a top-class Championship left-back while on loan at Ashton Gate last season and signing him permanently was a great bit of business by City.
“The 21-year-old has all the qualities you would look for in a left-back–he’s solid defensively, good going forward, and a great athlete–and the Robins are undoubtedly weaker without him.
“With the exit of Lloyd Kelly in the summer, new signing Tommy Rowe is now the only fit left-back in the Robins senior squad.
“Rowe has settled well so far but he is yet to really be tested, so the jury is still out on how good of a replacement he will be.”
Josh Cole
“This is without doubt a disaster for Bristol City who signed Dasilva on a permanent deal earlier this summer from Chelsea.
“Impressive whilst on loan at Ashton Gate last season, the 21-year-old made 28 appearances in the Championship for the Robins as he helped them secure an eighth-place finish in the Championship earlier this year.
“Given that he looked right at home in the second-tier during the previous campaign, Dasilva would have been extremely confident in his ability to fill the void left by fellow full-back Lloyd Kelly who left City to join AFC Bournemouth in May.
“Yet now that Dasilva is facing a prolonged period of absence, Robins boss Lee Johnson may have to play Tommy Rowe out of position as he currently does not have any other recognised senior left-backs at his disposal.
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Ben Lang
"This news creates huge problems for City's defence, especially with Adam Webster having already left for Brighton earlier in the window.
"The Robins are now looking short at centre-back and left-back, with Dasilva the latest blow for Lee Johnson's side. I would now expect them to delve into the free transfer market for reinforcements.
"Dasilva was a hugely exciting signing for Bristol City earlier in the summer after his form last season, so this lay-off is particularly bad news so soon into the new campaign.
"Bristol City will be hoping the defender has a speedy recovery as it could well hamper their promotion hopes, and this is something they cannot afford at this early stage."