It has been confirmed that Bristol City’s star player, Matty James, is facing a difficult situation as his wife gave birth but was unable to see their child.

Bristol City playmaker Ayman Benarous has taken a positive step in his injury recovery by completing 45 minutes for the Under-21s in their 0-0 draw against Coventry City in the Professional Development League 2.

Benarous, who hasn’t played any matches outside of training since August 2023 due to a hamstring injury during his comeback from successive ACL injuries, showed progress by playing the first half at the Coventry Building Society Arena. He was then replaced by Charlie Filer at half-time as part of a planned easing back into match fitness.

Despite the draw, this marks a significant milestone for Benarous, who has endured a challenging period with injuries over the past two years. The 20-year-old’s return to action is a positive sign for Bristol City, and they will be hopeful that he can regain full fitness and contribute to the senior squad before the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Benarous’ journey back to the pitch has been carefully managed by the club, with Liam Manning, the head coach, emphasizing the importance of not rushing his return to avoid setbacks. With his gradual increase in playing time, Benarous is aiming to make a meaningful impact for Bristol City in the near future.