Lorent Tolaj has missed each of the three games Bristol City have played since the extended international break

Bristol City are "really confident" they will see Lorent Tolaj back in action next week, Michael Skubala has revealed, after the Robins' meeting with Sheffield United came too soon for the forward to return to the fold.

For the third straight game, Tolaj was not part of the Reds' matchday squad on Saturday afternoon as City were beaten 1-0 by United. In a game of few chances at Ashton Gate, Ollie Arblaster's strike early in the first half secured all three points for Chris Wilder's side.

The 22-year-old struck home what proved to be the winner with just five minutes played, moments after Yu Hirakawa had spurned a big chance for the Robins. From the edge of the area, Arblaster volleyed beyond the reach of Sam Tickle, following a Blades free-kick.

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City were unable to come close to a leveller over the remainder of the contest, as their scoring woes at Ashton Gate continued. Such a fact was not helped by the absence of Tolaj, who the Reds had hoped may have been able to play some part after sustaining a niggle during the international break.

Asked about the forward ahead of kick-off on Saturday, Skubala told BBC Radio Bristol, "He's been on the grass, he's been training with the group, but it's probably one just too short. But we're really confident we're going to see him next week.

"With a week's training, we'll see him next week at Stoke.

"It's one of those situations where we've been hopeful that he'd make the last game [against Blackburn] - probably a bit risky," the City manager continued. "Again, it's such a hard decision.

"Do you take that risk now at this stage of the season? Or do you just make sure that he'll be fully fit and ready for coming in next week? Again, it's a big call, but we're still in the early days of the season.

"We want to make sure we don't cause any more niggles or injury to what he's done."

With no Tolaj at his disposal, Skubala handed Dom Ballard his fourth straight start. Having been given the nod against Watford before the international break, the former Leyton Orient forward has led the line in all three of City's games since the extended international break.

Though he was withdrawn in the final moments of the Robins' draw with Charlton Athletic, Ballard played the entirety of the Reds' defeats to Blackburn Rovers and the Blades last week. Before Tuesday's meeting with Rovers, the striker hadn't played a full game this season.

In the eyes of Skubala, that workload showed in the 21-year-old's performance against United, where he felt City would have been aided by the presence of Tolaj at the top end of the field.

"Dom's done well, but I thought he looked tired today, if I'm honest," the Reds boss added. "Dom's done well, but he's had to carry the load because Tolaj's been out.

"Tolaj, in that situation at times, has been a bit of a miss for us. I think he has adapted to this level very well, and I think Dom has, as well, but Dom's more of a fox in the box. He looked tired today, I thought."

Should Tolaj come through the next week of training as hoped, he will likely return to the fold when the Robins travel to the bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City next weekend. The Potters are likely to provide City with another tough test, having won six of their last eight Championship matches.

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