Bristol City striker Maynard makes welcome return

Nicky Maynard made his long-awaited return to action for Bristol City`s reserves on Wednesday. The prolific Robins number 10, who bagged 21 goals last season, has been sidelined since August having undergone knee surgery but pulled on a red shirt for the first time this term to play the final half an hour of a 5-1 victory over Southampton. Maynard is desperate to return to first-team action as soon as possible but knows he cannot rush his comeback and risk further injury. "It`s been a long time since I`ve played a competitive game," the 24-year-old told City`s official website. "The knee feels fine and any niggles I do feel are nothing major. Hopefully I can push on with more training sessions with the first team and another reserve game in the near future. I want to be back playing as soon as possible but the physios know how much work I need to do and I`ll leave it to them. Since the new year, I`ve gone full steam ahead and there have been no problems, touch wood." Meanwhile, Jamal Campbell-Ryce is awaiting scan results from the hamstring injury which forced him off against Swansea on Tuesday night, while Cole Skuse looks set for a couple of weeks out with his toe problem.

Source: PA