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The international break can always be a nervous moment for coaches and supporters, fingers crossed, the players will return injury-free.

That is particularly the case for Nigel Pearson with Bristol City heading into the final international break of the season with seven veteran players injured and having to play certain players, such as Cam Pring, out of position to fill gaps.

With eight games remaining in the season, starting with a home game against Reading on Saturday, City will aim to finish in the top half, in no danger of a relegation fight and likely too far out of the playoffs.

The international break came at a good time for the club after back-to-back defeats with City’s threadbare squad put to the test physically and mentally after a hectic run of matches. It’s been a time of recovery for most, although that’s not the case for five veteran players who left to represent their countries.

City also had youngsters and borrowers heading abroad and that’s how it fared for them when attention now turns to the action at the weekend.

nahki wells

The City striker won his 25th cap as Bermuda’s captain in their 2-0 loss against Guyana in the Concacaf Nations League last week. He played 90 minutes but then decided to pull out of their next qualifying match against Haiti this week after confirming that he was considering an international retirement to focus on extending his career at the club.

Wells, who will turn 33 in June, told The Royal Gazette: “I won’t be traveling with the team to play Haiti, so I wish the guys all the best for that game. I’ll reevaluate things as time goes on, but I don’t think I have a definitive answer right now about my future.

“I’m just looking to maybe get away from international football for a bit and see where it takes me. There’s no official retirement yet, but I can’t promise that I’ll play again either.

“My thought process right now is if there’s a really big game and the team really needs me, then maybe I’ll be available. My focus is really on the final stages of my career and making sure I do what’s best for my family.

“I love international football, but you have to weigh everything and what really matters is to prolong my career as long as possible and make sure I’m at my best and performing to the best of my ability.”

Minutes played: 90

alex scott

Ideally, the 19-year-old could have enjoyed a well-deserved rest, but given his ability and potential, he was called up to the England Under-20 squad for their tripleheader fixtures against Germany, USA and France.

In the opening match against Germany, he started the match and featured for 70 minutes before being pulled with Juventus’ Samuel Iling-Junior scoring both goals for the Young Lions. In England’s 4-2 win over the USA, Scott was brought on as a second half substitute (18 minutes) as the young Lions won 4-2.

He also started in the friendly win over France, playing 83 minutes and hitting the post with a header before giving City an injury scare after a collision inside their own box. After trying to continue, he fell to the ground and manager Ian Foster made the substitution.

Nigel Pearson will now face an anxious wait to determine the severity of his injury before Saturday’s game with Reading.

Minutes played: 171

mark sykes

The City winger, who now faces a four-game Championship ban, was an unused substitute for the Republic of Ireland double header as he awaits his second cap.

Stephen Kenny’s side beat Latvia 3-2, with former City winger Callum O’Dowda on the scoresheet, before a narrow 1-0 defeat against France. Despite his suspension, the lack of minutes from him would have been welcome from City’s perspective given the amount of football he has played recently.

Only four players in Nahki Wells, Andi Weimann, Alex Scott and Zak Vyner have earned more minutes during their debut Championship season.

Minutes played: 0

andi weimann

Like Sykes, the City captain had no delivery time during the international break, which, again, is a positive in terms of keeping players fit and fresh for the run-up.

Weimann’s Austria ended the international break with two wins in their Euro qualifying campaign by beating Azerbaijan 4-1 before following up with a win over Estonia. They are at the top of their qualifying group, which also includes Belgium and Sweden.

Weimann could play a big role for the next four games following Sykes’ four-game ban.

Minutes played: 0

anis mehmeti

Mehmeti made his international debut as a 20-minute substitute in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Poland after his first cap. Unfortunately, his introduction failed to bring about an equalizer with his country going down 1-0 in their first group match.

The 22-year-old now hopes his first cap in international colors could be the catalyst to earning regular minutes for his national team, beginning with a doubleheader against Moldova and the Faroe Islands in June.

Minutes played: 20

Stefan Bajic

The young City goalkeeper, currently on loan at Valenciennes, was an unused substitute in his French Under-21 team’s 4-0 rout of England in the first of two friendlies. He also watched from the bench as his team kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Spain.

Minutes played: 0

Han Noah Massengo

Having apparently played his last game for Bristol City as he completed the remainder of his contract with Auxerre, the midfielder’s form in Ligue 1 earned him a call-up to the France under-21 team, where he was reunited with Bajic. Massengo came on for the last eight minutes in the loss against England, but played the full 90 minutes against Spain, picking up a yellow card in the 45th minute.

Minutes played: 98

low joe

It’s been a magnificent week for the City defender, currently on loan at Walsall, following his first international cap with the Wales under-21 team. Low played the full match in both matches against Estonia and Scotland, keeping two clean sheets in a 2–0 and 3–0 victory.

He also scored his first international goal against Scotland, heading home to the far post from a corner to net his team’s second of the game. After the match, he told the Welsh FA: “The lads have been brilliant, they’ve embraced me and been very welcoming. It’s something I want to be a part of and it’s always good to take this into account and continue the good results.” .

Minutes played: 180

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