Coventry v Walsall preview

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Coventry will hand late fitness tests to captain Carl Baker and Franck Moussa ahead of their home clash against midlands neighbours Walsall but Nathan Delfouneso hopes to return.

Baker sustained a calf injury during Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Shrewsbury while fellow midfielder Moussa is also a doubt having picked up a groin problem.

On-loan striker Delfouneso, meanwhile, trained on Tuesday having missed the last three matches with a thigh complaint and is poised to return to the fold should he suffer no ill-effects.

The Sky Blues have dropped to within three points of the relegation zone in League One having taken just six points from the last 24 on offer.

Walsall are waiting to discover whether Sam Mantom will be available for their short trip to midlands rivals Coventry.

The midfielder was sent off in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Preston for a high challenge on Joe Garner but the Saddlers have appealed against the decision and are awaiting the verdict. Should the red card not be overturned then Mantom will start a three-match suspension against the Sky Blues.

Andy Taylor is back in training having been sidelined since mid-January with a knee injury but the Sixfields clash is likely to come too soon for his involvement, while fellow defender Dean Holden (knee) remains unavailable.

Walsall’s promotion charge has been halted of late due to a five-match winless streak which has seen them lose three of their last four matches.

Coventry v Walsall preview

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Coventry are not expected to have any new injury or suspension problems.

Manager Mark Robins welcomed back goalkeeper Joe Murphy from a shoulder problem for Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory over Sheffield United as the Sky Blues made the northern section semi-finals.

Striker David McGoldrick and midfielder James Bailey also returned having been ineligible for FA Cup duty last weekend, and all three are again expected to start against the Saddlers.

Robins could well opt to name the starting XI from that which drew 1-1 with the Blades in midweek before triumphing 4-1 on penalties.

“We did well on Tuesday night even though I thought we were lacking slightly in the final third. I still think we need to do better, and we can do better,” Robins told the club’s official website.

“I don’t think we gave them enough problems really and when a team comes here and sets up to defend, we have to do more to break them down and that is what we have to do on Saturday.”

Walsall continue to be without the services of Florent Cuvelier.

The on-loan midfielder has missed the last seven matches with a troublesome hamstring injury and is receiving treatment at parent club Stoke.

It is hoped, however, that Cuvelier could be fit to face Yeovil next weekend.

Defender Ben Purkiss is set to come back into contention having been ruled out of late with a hamstring problem.

Manager Dean Smith has options at his disposal as the Saddlers strive to end their 14-match winless run stretching back to late September.

Striker Craig Westcarr started on the bench in the 1-1 draw against Hartlepool last time out and could start, while the likes of George Bowerman, Adam Chambers and James Baxendale are also pushing for inclusion.