Town have confirmed that skipper Gareth McAuley will be fit to face Coventry at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. The Northern Irishman hurt his shin when he collided with the post during last week's 2-1 defeat to Cardiff.

Physio Matt Byard told the club site: "Gareth trained today without any problems.

"He will do the same again on Friday but we are not expecting any reaction. We always felt he would be fine for the weekend and that's the way it looks."

Jon Walters has also trained throughout the week, despite his ongoing back problem.

Town will be without the suspended Alex Bruce, who is serving the second game of four-match ban, and Ben Thatcher and Owen Garvan, who miss one game each after a red card and reaching five bookings respectively.

Meanwhile, Town target Graham Gartland has joined Leicester City on trial. The Irish B international, a free agent after leaving Drogheda in October, has previously spent time with the Blues, Burnley and Nottingham Forest, while a number of other clubs, including Rangers, are also reportedly interested in his signature.

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