McCrorie out for weeks with hamstring injury

Ross McCrorie has already missed a number of weeks with a hamstring injury this season

Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie is likely to be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.

The right-back went off in the 57th minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cardiff.

McCrorie had already missed a number of weeks through November into December with another hamstring issue.

"He's going to be a few weeks; unfortunately it's a hamstring injury so probably the best part of six weeks," head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.

The 26-year-old had started eight out of the Robins' past 12 Championship matches since his return as a substitute against West Bromwich Albion on 22 December - only missing the recent defeat by Swansea because of suspension after picking up his fifth booking.

Manning said Bristol City's busy schedule, which saw them play four games in the first 15 days of February, had meant he felt unable to rest McCrorie.

"It's always that challenge when you know the schedule is what it is," Manning said.

"We played him midweek against Stoke but for me the turnaround [to Cardiff] was so quick that naturally someone like him ends up being a risk, but we have to put a team out and try to win the game.

"Unfortunately for him he's going to be out for a little bit of a time, which is a shame because he got himself into a really good spot."

McCrorie's absence compounds City's injury woes at the back, with Luke McNally ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, leaving only Zak Vyner and Rob Dickie as specialist centre-backs.

The Robins take on Middlesbrough at home on Friday but have been boosted by the return of left-back Cameron Pring and midfielder Joe Williams to training following injuries.

Pring has not played since New Year's Day after a hamstring issue while Williams has been out since November with an Achilles tear.