Eagles versus Sky Blues: bosses in upbeat mood

Crystal Palace take on Coventry City at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night with the Eagles buoyed by a solid start to the Championship season.

Saturday's 2-0 win at home to Burnley pleased manager Dougie Freedman who praised his side's 'work ethic' after the game although the Scot is battling against injury problems that may rule Darren Ambrose out of the Sky Blues clash.

'I'm closing in on a few targets in terms of speaking to the clubs and the agents,' said Freedman, who has made a big impression in his first managerial role.

'I'm fighting against other clubs but I need the player to buy into what I'm doing and that takes a little bit longer.'

Being down to the bare bones is a familiar feeling for Andy Thorn who once again was in bullish post-match mood after his side's narrow defeat at the hands of Birmingham City, feeling once again that the Sky Blues were more than a match for a team fancied for promotion this season.

Failings in front of goal continue to put City's whole season in jeopardy but Thorn knows that his need for a new striker is likely to remain wishful thinking.

'There's no money at the moment but that's how it is and I'm not going to bleat about that,' was his blunt verdict.

Reported Sky Blues' target Adam Le Fondre meanwhile got off the mark for the season on Saturday in Rotherham's win at Plymouth Argyle.

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