CHAMPIONSHIP By Chris Dunlavy

NIGEL Pearson says losing key centre-back Rob Atkinson to a season-ending knee injury is a major blow for in-form Bristol City. Atkinson, 24, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament chasing a loose ball during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Pearson feared the worst and scans have now confirmed that Atkinson faces a minimum of nine months on the sidelines. Signed from Oxford in 2021, the centre-back had featured in all but one of the Robins’ 32 Championship games this term ahead of the weekend. His partnership with Zak Vyner at...