Jason Knight makes honest admission as Bristol City captain targets cup run after 'tough' injury | Bristol Live

Bristol City captain Jason Knight admits he has to "improve individually" after a "frustrating" time on the sidelines with injury

Jason Knight admits there is "definitely more to come" from him after his "frustrating" time out with injury, but the Bristol City captain insists that he is now fully fit as he and his teammates look to start a FA Cup run this weekend.

Having been an ever-present for the Robins last season as they secured a first top six finish in nearly two decades, Knight was a regular fixture of Gerhard Struber's side in the opening weeks of the current campaign. However, a groin injury sustained in September saw him sidelined for the best part of two months.

In that time, the Ireland international missed eight Championship matches before he returned to the fold as a second-half substitute in the Reds' comfortable Ashton Gate win over Swansea City in November.

Because his fitness record has been so exemplary during his time as a City player, Knight's spell out of the team was perhaps as difficult for him to navigate as it was for the players featuring in his absence.

Now, though, after building his sharpness over the festive period, he is eager to hit his next level in the second half of the campaign.

"It was tough," the skipper explained when asked about his time on the sidelines. "There's probably a bit more nerves and anxious moments when you're watching, because you're not really in control.

"That was the tough part, but like I say, I've done it before, and I'll do it again in the future. It's not a nice period for any footballer; they want to be out there playing and sort of helping the team. I wouldn't say you get used to it, but you have to get on with it, and when you come back, show that you should be in the team.

"Look, I've had injuries in the past," Knight continued. "I've been fortunate enough here that it's not come all that often, but that's a footballer's life, I suppose. You get on with it.

"It's been frustrating, but I'm happy to be back out there now. I've got a number of games under my belt, so hopefully, it continues. There's more from me, there definitely is more from me, but I'd like to show that I'm fully fit now and ready to go.

"I think we've got to improve as a team, but I've got to improve individually as well," he added. "I've got to drive us on and maybe get more goals and more assists and help the team that way.

"There's definitely more to come."

Over the condensed run of matches between Christmas and New Year, supporters have seen Struber's preferred midfield partnership of Knight and Adam Randell reunited on a consistent basis to impressive results.

Particularly in his captain's absence, Randell has impressed in City colours, having made the switch to Ashton Gate from Plymouth Argyle. The 24-year-old is one of just two players to start every league game so far this term, and has recently added a goal or two to his game, with his long-range strike against Portsmouth likely the Robins' best of the season so far.

In terms of match minutes, Knight and Randell's relationship is still relatively in its infancy, especially when compared to the captain's ties with Joe Williams and, in particular, Max Bird. While that, understandably, means there's room for improvement, Knight is enjoying playing his football alongside his latest partner.

"Adam's a very good player, and I think we bounce off of each other very well," he said. "You've probably seen that over the Christmas period when we've been in there consistently together.

"But like I say, we've got to do that on a consistent basis: drive teams forward and control games maybe a little bit better at times. I've enjoyed it and long may it continue."

City's next opportunity to find that consistency in the league will come next weekend when they travel to the Kassam Stadium to face Matt Bloomfield's Oxford United. Before then, however, attention turns to the FA Cup as the Reds start their campaign against Watford this weekend.

The Hornets are flying high in the Championship under the management of Javi Gracia, with a run of four straight wins enough to see them climb above the Robins and into the play-off places. On form, they come into Saturday's clash as favourites, but form counts for very little in cup competitions.

Knight was part of the City team that got the better of West Ham United and took Nottingham Forest to a replay during the 2023/24 season. Having seen first-hand the boost that gave him and his teammates then, he is eager to do what he can to give the Reds faithful another special day out or two this term, even if he knows it won't be straightforward.

"It's always a good tournament, and you want to get a good run in it," the midfielder explained. "Obviously, with the home game it's a nice touch as well, so we're going with full confidence and trying to get into the next round.

"Confident, but like you say, it's going to be a tough game," Knight added, "Watford are in good form, so we've got to be at our best, but I fully expect us to [be] and we want to show the fans and go on a good cup run as we have in the past.

"I think it can certainly be beneficial to your season. It's important to us players, but I know it's definitely important to fans to get good days out and go on a good cup run, because that's important. We want to do that again."

On his previous memories of the competition with the Robins, the Ireland international reflected, "I remember that season when we went to West Ham, and we played Forest and stuff like that. It's important to play these games, treat them right, and go out and try to get a good result.

"It's business as usual; this is what we're paid to do, and we've got to go out there and do a proper job."