Bristol City look set to have Emil Riis and Yu Hirakawa back in full training ahead of their Carabao Cup first-round tie with Walsall at Ashton Gate on Thursday evening. The possible returns represent a notable development for the Robins and are relevant for the Saddlers’ preparations for a competitive trip to south Bristol.
Fitness updates and timing
Both forwards missed the entirety of Bristol City’s pre-season friendlies because of minor fitness issues described by the club as “niggles”. Manager Michael Skubala has indicated the pair will be reintegrated into collective training early next week, opening up the chance of them featuring against Walsall.
“They’re coming back into full team training on Monday,”
Skubala added that Riis and Hirakawa could play against Walsall or otherwise be expected to be available for the league opener against Millwall. Their involvement is not guaranteed, but their presence in training will be watched closely by both sets of supporters and coaching staff.
What this means for Walsall
For Walsall — who finished 13th in League Two last season — the prospect of facing a near-full-strength Championship side heightens the challenge. Cup ties at Ashton Gate are traditionally tough for visitors, and having two attacking options available again will strengthen Bristol City’s options off the bench or in the starting eleven.
- Fixture: Bristol City v Walsall, Carabao Cup first round, Thursday at Ashton Gate.
- Fitness note: Riis and Hirakawa returning to full team training from Monday; Luke McNally remains sidelined with ACL recovery.
- Walsall position: Saddlers finished 13th in League Two last season and travel as underdogs.
Quick reference
| Player | Pre-season involvement | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Emil Riis | Missed friendlies with fitness issue | Returning to full team training Monday |
| Yu Hirakawa | Missed friendlies with fitness issue | Returning to full team training Monday |
| Luke McNally | Absent from pre-season (ACL recovery) | Still recovering |
Walsall’s management and fans will study team news coming out of Ashton Gate closely during the early part of the week. A side that has not provided the volume of pre-season minutes for these two forwards will need to plan for their potential inclusion, whether that means preparing for a faster tempo, different attacking patterns or substitution strategies if Riis and Hirakawa are involved.
Further squad developments from both clubs are expected as training resumes and managers finalise their matchday squads ahead of Thursday’s kick-off.
