Nigel Pearson insists Famara Diedhiou’s absence from the Bristol City squad against Luton Town is down to injury, despite uncertainty and frustration over his future at the club.
Diedhiou has started nine of 12 games since Pearson took charge of City in late February but has failed to find the target in all those appearances – totalling 787 minutes.
There has also been growing disillusionment within the fanbase over the nature of his performances, with the Senegalese lacking impact and almost becoming the symbol of the general apathy within the team - particularly in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Wycombe.
Pearson has questioned the commitment of certain individuals, without naming them, with Diedhiou an obvious suspect given the striker is out of contract in June 30 and has shown little inclination to sign a new agreement.
However, Pearson insists Diedhiou, who has trained this week after the Wycombe game, has been left out against Luton due to a swollen knee.
"He’s got a bit of a swollen knee. He was fine yesterday in training," Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol. "But I think it's only right to not take chances with that today ... so there we are."
Championship rivals Middlesbrough are among the clubs interest in signing the 28-year-old, who was offered a deal at BS3 last summer, with the Senegalese also having interest within France, where City signed him from in 2017 paying Angers £5.3m.
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Tommy Conway makes his full debut in Diedhiou’s place as Pearson continues to give academy talent opportunities.
The 18-year-old has been a regular for the Under-23s and has trained with the first-team for much of Pearson’s tenure, making two substitute appearances before today.
"He deserves the opportunity, he’s been very bright in training and with the Under-23s,” Pearson said. “We need energy, aggression and we need a performance that shows commitment. He's earned the right to be selected."