Gerhard Struber sets Leo Pecover expectation after Bristol City youngster named in Robins' squad | Bristol Live

Leo Pecover was named on the Bristol City bench for the Robins' Championship clash with Oxford United at Ashton Gate

Leo Pecover is “very close” to getting game time for Bristol City’s first team, Gerhard Struber has insisted, after the academy prospect was included in the Robins’ matchday squad for their Championship defeat to Oxford United.

The teenager was an unused substitute as the Reds suffered their first league loss of the season and Struber’s tenure against the U’s on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Nik Prelec, Prezemyslaw Placheta, and Gregory Leigh ensured that Anis Mehmeti’s impressive second-half strike was in vain as Gary Rowett’s side comfortably ran out 3-1 winners at Ashton Gate.

With Max Bird ruled out because of a calf injury, and City’s options in attacking midfield reduced with Josh Stokes also sidelined, the decision was made to include Pecover amongst the substitutes with a view to him offering an alternative option to Anis Mehmeti and Scott Twine.

The teenager, who put pen to paper on a professional contract in BS3 this summer, played an important role as City's Under-18s were named Professional Development League National Champions last season. In the play-off final against Watford - which was played at Ashton Gate - Pecover scored the opener early in the second half as the Young Robins won 2-1.

Although the prospect didn't manage to make his competitive first team debut on Sunday afternoon, Struber has no doubts he will play a part for his side over the course of the season, having impressed in training so far this term.

“Yeah, otherwise he would not be on the bench when he would not be a player,” the head coach told Bristol Live when asked what Pecover had done to earn his place on the bench. “He gives us something, and in the training, he shows good moments.

“He is, I would say, a talent with high potential, with technical skills, also he is super humble, and also, physical-wise ready.

“He will get game time, I would say,” Struber continued. “He’s very close for that.”

For the first time in the Championship since he was named City head coach in June, Struber's side were unable to impose their style on proceedings against the U's on Sunday afternoon. However, had the Reds been more clinical in the final third, they could have very fairly easily extended their unbeaten start to the league campaign.

Emil Riis, Ross McCrorie, and Mehmeti all came close to scoring in the first half, with the latter seeing a corner cleared off the line moments after Prelec opened the scoring. After the Albanian winger halved the deficit in the second half, Adam Randell saw a left-footed effort from inside the area narrowly fly past the post.

Understandably, the supporters in attendance in BS3 were left frustrated having seen their side slip below their recent standard, but for Struber, the first league defeat served as a learning opportunity ahead of Saturday's trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End.

"I think these are the games and in the last few games, we have, I would say, also situations like that," the City boss explained. "But we score earlier, and we have more momentum for us.

"Today, we have the feeling that with every corner kick, every free-kick, every throw-in near to our goal is very, very dangerous.

"Normally, we are on the driver's seat in this way and today, we were more the passengers on the plane."