Town boss Joe Royle welcomes four players back to his squad ahead of Saturday's visit to Coventry. Darren Bent, Chris Bart-Williams, Georges Santos and Lewis Price all return after injury.

John McGreal drops out after picking up a calf injury earlier this week, Drissa Diallo is likely to take his place in central defence. Dean Bowditch and Scott Mitchell are left out of the squad after their involvement in the FA Youth Cup game on Wednesday night.

Midfielder Chris Bart-Williams is still not totally over his back problem and the manager admits he is still weighing up whether to play him: “Chris is a lot better this week.

”He is still not fully fit but he's well enough to train, and he's trained well in the last couple of days. There are decisions to make as we're strong with regard to midfield players.”

Keeper Price is over his finger ligament injury while Santos is back after an ankle problem.

Striker Darren Bent has been in fine form in training and he could start, perhaps even as part of a three-man forward line with Pablo Couñago and Shefki Kuqi. According to his manager the youngster has benefited from his time on the sidelines with an ankle injury: “He's flying and he's very fresh at the moment.

“It's noticeable that some players take time to get back into it again, Darren actually benefits from the rest, whether it is from injury or from being out of the side for a couple of weeks.”

Dutch midfielder Martijn Reuser could also be in line for a recall, Royle having noted his recent substitute displays: “Martijn's done very well. We know Martijn's got quality and he scored a terrific goal last week. He might have had two more if the Football League panel had given them to him.

“I'm well aware of Martijn's quality. I'm not against Martijn, it's just he hasn't had a lot of games this year. He started injured and when the side went into a good run he couldn't get back in. I'm very aware that Martijn is knocking on the door.”

Saturday's opponents are a team rated by the Town boss: “I think they are a good side. They are one of the few sides whose position in the league I'm slightly surprised about because they play good football and they pass it well.

“They've lost a big influence in Gary McAllister, not just as a manager because he's still a good player too. I like new manager Eric Black, I think he'll have a good chance there, but I hope that doesn't start tomorrow.

“I say the same things every week, it's about us. We dominate games — dominate might not be quite the right word against Sunderland although we had most of the possession - we've just got to be more vigilant at both ends.

“We'll go there to win the game, we'll be positive as we were last year, it just took us 45 minutes to wake up.”

The Blues eventually ran out 4-2 winners on that occasion after being 2-0 down at half-time.

Coventry have no major injury problems ahead of the game and may well recall experienced defender — and Jim Magilton's brother-in-law — Steve Staunton who has recovered from a fractured cheekbone.

Former Colchester loanee Graham Barrett is also back in contention having played two reserve games since an ankle problem.

New signing Bjarni Gudjonsson could make his second start since joining the Sky Blues on loan from VFB Bochum in Germany.

Saturday's referee is Trevor Kettle from Berkshire who has shown 83 yellow cards and 11 red in 17 games this season. Kettle, in his first league season, has not previously refereed a Town game.

Squad: Davis, Price, Wilnis, Richards, Naylor, Diallo, Santos, Bart-Williams, Magilton, Wright, Miller, Westlake, Reuser, Kuqi, Couñago, Bent.

Photo: Action Images

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