Cam Pring picked up an injury in the first half of Bristol City’s Easter Monday defeat to Luton Town at Kenilworth RoadCam Pring missed Bristol City’s defeat to Leeds United(Image: EFL)

Liam Manning has provided a brief update on Cam Pring’s fitness after the Bristol City defender underwent a scan on a hamstring injury, with the Robins boss confirming the defender will be sidelined for a “few weeks.”

Pring missed the Reds’ 4-0 defeat at the hands of Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday evening having sustained his injury in the first half of City’s loss to Luton Town a week prior. After just 20 minutes of action at Kenilworth Road, the 27-year-old made way for Haydon Roberts and could be seen with his shirt pulled over his face as he made his way over to the Robins’ bench.

When he conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday evening’s trip to Yorkshire, Manning admitted he didn’t expect the left-back to be ready to play a part in either of City’s final two matches. However, at that stage, Pring was yet to undergo a scan which was conducted later that day.

READ MORE: Leeds United boss Daniel Farke explains what left him ‘worried’ ahead of win over Bristol CityREAD MORE: Talk Club Cup live: Updates as Bristol Rovers and Bristol City legends and celebrities face off

Having now received the results of that scan, the Robins boss’ suspicions have been confirmed, but the head coach has refused to close the door entirely on the 27-year-old playing a part in the play-offs should the Reds manage to secure a top six finish on the final day against Preston North End.

“No, you won’t be seeing him,” Manning told Bristol Live when asked if the Robins had received the results of the defender’s scan.

“Possibly, we’ll have to see,” the head coach continued when asked if there was any chance the defender could feature in the play-offs should City get there. “It’s going to be a few weeks.”

Sign up for our City newsletter

Bristol City are fighting to secure their place in the play-off places and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.

All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Robins, delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE

The Reds are short of defensive numbers heading into the final weekend of the regular Championship season. Both Luke McNally and Mark Sykes’ campaigns are already over following injuries sustained earlier this term and that, partnered with the departures of both Rob Atkinson and Kal Naismith during the January transfer window, has left just Rob Dickie and Zak Vyner as the only recognised centre-backs at Manning’s disposal.

In the lead-up to his injury, Pring had slotted into the back three on the left side of the defensive pair while also occasionally operating as a left wing-back. When he was withdrawn at Kenilworth Road on Easter Monday, Roberts took his place in what was a like-for-like change. However, against Daniel Farke’s side at Elland Road this week, Vyner operated as the left-sided centre-back, Roberts started at left wing-back and George Tanner was pushed into a deeper role as the right centre-back.

Bristol City Live on Whatsapp

Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone

Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.

To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.

We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.

To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

Against a Leeds side that has admittedly, caused the majority of Championship defences problems this season, the Reds’ backline really struggled to get a foothold in the game. Roberts and Ross McCrorie appeared to be unsure whether to pick up the Whites’ wingers or full-backs at times while Vyner, Tanner and Dickie all were caught on the wrong side of the ball on more one than occasions. It is unclear whether or not Pring would have coped any better but the Robins would have certianly benefited from having his pace at their disposal.

Fortunately, the play-off race remains in City’s hands heading into the final day of the campaign. Should Manning’s side get the better of relegation-threatened Preston at Ashton Gate on Saturday, they will guarantee themselves a fifth-place finish, regardless of what happens elsewhere in the division. Even with a defeat to Paul Heckingbottom’s side, the Reds could finish in the top six depending on other results in the second tier.

With Pring ruled out of the season-defining clash, Manning will have to find a way to sure up his backline which has looked uncharacteristically leaky in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Bristol City face campaign-defining test as Leeds defeat reveals Robins’ end-of-season frailtiesREAD MORE: Liam Manning makes honest Bristol City play-off race admission after Reds’ loss vs Leeds United