O'Leary says it will be 'hard' to win place back

Max O'Leary has yet to play this season under new Bristol City coach Gerhard Struber

Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary said it is "going to be hard" to earn his place back in the starting XI after returning from a long-term injury.

O'Leary has not played since the play-off final second-leg defeat by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in May after having surgery on his ankle.

Manchester United keeper Radek Vitek was signed on a season-long loan deal over the summer in O'Leary's absence and has started every league game this campaign, keeping five clean sheets in 14 matches - the joint-second highest in the division.

"It's going to be hard to get my place back in the team, but I'll keep fighting and keep working hard," O'Leary told BBC Radio Bristol at an event as part of the EFL's Week of Action.

The 29-year-old had previously been Bristol City's first-choice keeper, having started every one of their league games - playing every minute - for the past two campaigns under Nigel Pearson and then Liam Manning.

O'Leary joined City's academy as an under-11 player and made his first-team debut in 2016 but had to be patient before becoming a regular starter, with former Robins' captain Dan Bentley the number one until he signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2023.

"[I am] feeling good, back fit and been training pretty well, so just biding my time and enjoying it," O'Leary added.

"It's a bit different, I've been in this situation before so I know what it's about and just enjoying being back fit."

Since returning to fitness O'Leary has been named on the bench as an unused substitute for the past five matches.

"Timing in football is a massive thing," he said.

"It [the injury] came at an unfortunate time and the club's got to look after themselves and have their best interest, so obviously you're going to bring in someone.

"He's [Vitek] contributed really well and his performances have shown that."