Evander Sno has emerged as Bristol City's latest potential long-term absentee.

The Dutch midfielder, signed on loan from Ajax at the start of the season, had hoped to recover from a back injury in time to be considered for Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship fixture against Doncaster Rovers at Ashton Gate.

But the 22-year-old former Holland Under-21 international has made a slower-than-expected recovery and, in the worst case scenario, could be sidelined for another fortnight.

Sno had to be carried off the Vicarage Road pitch on a stretcher after injuring his back during the warm-up, just minutes before City's game at Watford on February 9.

City's medical staff diagnosed back spasms, a problem Sno had suffered from previously.

Although the doctors are agreed on the diagnosis, the Dutchman's rehabilitation remains a topic for debate.

City manager Gary Johnson said: "We know what the problem is and we know how to treat it. But we are not so sure how hard we can push Evander and how soon.

"It's a difficult one. We need to work him hard in training to get him properly fit for the Championship, but if we give him too much too soon we run the risk of him breaking down and returning to square one.

"He has seen a couple of specialists over the course of the last few weeks, but there has been little change in his condition and it's becoming a concern."

Sno's injury-enforced break will do nothing to enhance his prospects of earning a permanent move to England after his loan spell expires at the end of this season.

Signed from Dutch giants Ajax in August, Sno has started 17 games in the Championship for City, but featured only twice this year.

Johnson is already assailed by injuries to senior players and his resources have been further hit by the long-term absence of Brian Wilson and Jamie McCombe, while left-back Jamie McAllister has yet to recover from a calf strain and is expected to be out of action for at least another week.

But those problems are offset by news that Marvin Elliott's knee injury is less serious than initially feared.

An earlier prognosis suggested the midfield powerhouse could be out of action for up to six weeks. But a scan confirmed bone bruising rather than an problem with the posterior cruciate ligament and Elliott is expected to be back in training within a fortnight.

"It's still going to be a problem for him, but it's not as bad as it Top scorer Nicky Maynard has now fully recovered from a thigh injury and Jamal Campbell-Ryce is ready to play after missing five of the last six games with a calf problem.

Both signalled their readiness to contest a place in the starting line-up to face Doncaster when playing 65 minutes of Tuesday's reserve team contest against Swansea at City's Failand training headquarters.

Winger Ivan Sproule was also taken off after 65 minutes and manager Johnson confirmed all three will be involved on Saturday.

He confirmed: "As an exercise, we got what we wanted from the game. It was important Nicky, Jamal and Ivan got some game time under their belts and they all came through unscathed.

"I thought all three looked sharp and they are definitely in my thoughts for the Doncaster game."