The highly-rated academy graduate has not played a senior game for Bristol City in 21 months
Ayman Benarous may be able to play for Bristol City before the 2023–2024 season ends, according to Liam Manning.
Since April 30, 2022, the 20-year-old has not participated in a game for the senior team. Almost two years ago, during training, he sustained an ACL injury. Since then, he has seen multiple setbacks.
But, Benarous was pictured in a training video released by the club earlier this week, and his manager revealed the impressive progress the young midfielder is making.
“Delighted, he has had a tough, long period out and I’ve been really impressed. He’s trained with us now for a few weeks and we’re going to look to get him involved in a u21s game soon
“In terms of how he’s done in training, he’s made a really positive impression and I’m looking forward to seeing how he comes back.”
After missing the entire previous season due to a re-ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in December 2022, the midfield player’s recuperation has been a lengthy one.
Although Benarous did play again for the under-21 squad early in the season, manager Manning said that he would be sidelined for a “considerable amount of time” due to an injury that would require surgery in November.
When asked if the player might make an appearance for City’s first team before the season ended, Manning responded, “Maybe, maybe, I wouldn’t want to rule it out.”
“The u21s game could be close, I think with the duration he’s been out you don’t want to force it or rush it and set him back. You do have to be careful so we’ll look to increase his workload in u21s and in training and see how he responds.”
The central midfielder is just one of a few players who have come off the conveyor belt of talent at the High Performance Centre.
Under Nigel Pearson, he earned 12 appearances for the first squad and is well-liked by both the first team and the academy.
Benarous is under contract with City until the summer of 2025 after inking a new agreement with the team in February 2022.
