Robins await an update on Hirakawa
BRISTOL City were yesterday awaiting an update on how serious Yu Hirakawa’s ankle injury is after the winger was stretchered off during Japan’s Olympics opener against Paraguay in Bordeaux on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old, inset, was subject to a rash challenge on his right ankle from Paraguay’s Wilder Viera, who was shown a red card following a VAR consultation. Hirakawa was able to continue initially but that did not last with the City summer addition having to exit the pitch on a stretcher, suggesting he was in some discomfort. Japan then went on to win 5-0.
The club’s first ever Japanese player, Hirakawa joined City earlier this month on an initial loan deal from J-League side Machida Zelvia and could well become a permanent addition come January which is when his contract with the Japanese outfit expires. Bristol Live understands that, should he impress for the Championship side before then, he will become a Robin permanently.
Able to play on either flank, Hirakawa had the opportunity to meet and work with his new teammates out in Portugal before jetting to the Paris Olympics. However, it is now unclear whether the 23-year-old will not only miss the rest of the tournament with Japan but the start of the Championship season too. The latter may well have been the case anyway considering he would have likely been offered an extended break post-Olympics that would have run into the first week or two of the season, with City set to travel to Hull City on August 10 to start their season.