Bristol City winger Mark Sykes has been called up by Ireland ahead of the November international break for two World Cup qualifiersBristol City winger Mark Sykes in action against Stoke City(Image: EFL)

Mark Sykes will remain in Bristol over the November international break despite receiving a call-up to the Ireland squad, Gerhard Struber has confirmed, with the Bristol City head coach mapping out the Reds’ plan for the injured winger.

Sykes missed City’s 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road on Friday evening as a result of injury. Struber’s side avoided extending their losing run to three matches ahead of the November international break as they shared the points with the Hornets, with Scott Twine’s sixth goal of the season – an excellent first-half free-kick – cancelling out Marc Bola’s opener.

The Ireland international was never expected to feature against Javi Gracia’s side after he had been forced off late on against Blackburn Rovers. Sykes hopped down the Ashton Gate tunnel in the closing exchanges of the defeat to Rovers on Tuesday evening, having suffered a serious cut to his shin that is expected to keep him out of the Robins’ next game, at least.

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Despite that prognosis, the 28-year-old was included in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad for Ireland’s World Cup qualifying matches against Portugal and Hungary, with the Boys in Green’s boss suggesting he would be assessed whilst away on international duty. Struber, however, insists the versatile winger will be remaining in the West Country.

“Yes, yes, he [will] stay in Bristol,” the Robins head coach told Bristol Live following his side’s draw at Vicarage Road on Friday evening. “I would say he has to do something [so] that he is quickly back and healthy.

“But everything looks good [so] that he could maybe be back in the Wrexham – Portsmouth week.”

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With Jason Knight sidelined and, as a result, not included in Ireland’s squad for the November international break, Ross McCrorie is the only member of Struber’s City side set to be in World Cup qualifying action over the next fortnight.

Having been recalled to the Scotland squad by Steve Clarke, the 27-year-old will be looking to add to his one cap as the Tartan Army aim to book their place in next summer’s tournament over the course of matches against Greece and Denmark.

McCrorie, who has struggled with injury in the past, has seen his workload managed over the course of his time at Ashton Gate in order to ensure he is available as often as possible. Over the course of the Reds’ defeats to Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers, the former Aberdeen man played 131 minutes in just four days and was again included in Struber’s starting line-up against Watford at Vicarage Road.

The Scotland international impressed on his more natural right flank as he offered a constant attacking outlet. Had it not been for a smart Egil Selvik save, McCrorie would have left Hertfordshire with his fourth assist of the season as he set up a brilliant scoring chance for Anis Mehmeti early in the second half.

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With 57 minutes played, Struber made the decision to withdraw the 27-year-old, and Yu Hirakawa was introduced in his place. Although some fans were concerned by the prospect of another new name being added to the Robins’ seemingly ever-growing injury list, the City head coach’s decision was a precautionary one, rather than a reactionary one.

When asked if the defender had picked up an issue, Struber explained, “He’s okay, but of course, in all directions, the boys feel pain.

“After so few rotations and so much game time, every single player feels something. With Ross, with his history, it was important today to save him, and next to the aim that we create a good performance, we [aim to] not create a new injury.

“We are super happy today.”

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