Coventry v Crystal Palace: Crunch time

Despite their dismal form going into the international break, Coventry City manager Chris Coleman and chairman Ray Ranson have been keen to stress the positive over the past few days.

Buoyed by the signing of central defender Richard Wood from Sheffield Wednesday, the Sky Blues hierarchy believe the club's future prospects remain bright, with a young team being built that is capable of bringing back the good times (well the average times at least).

In the short term, injuries have hampered Coleman's preparations for recent games but few fans would have agreed with the manager's assessment that his side were well in charge against Derby in the final match before the international break and now a big performance and result is required.

'I don't like looking at us in 17th place,' Coleman told the Coventry Telegraph on Thursday.

'I won't look at the league table at tghe minute because it puts me in a bad mood.'

Wood will make his debut alongside Leon Barnett on Saturday and City may have Westwood, Wright and Hall back to stiffen up the defence.

Elliott Ward will not feature but remains at the club having turned down a loan move to Notts County.

Sean Scannell will miss out for the Eagles after sustaining an injury while on international duty.

Palace forward Alan Lee told the Croydon Advertiser; 'We know what a tough league this is but to have only lost one in the last 10 matches has really boosted the confidence.'

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