Brighton patched-up for Ricoh Arena trip

Despite their respective league positions, Coventry City and Brighton & Hove Albion go into Saturday's Championship fixture at the Ricoh Arena in contrasting moods, the Sky Blues buoyed by their Boxing Day win over Bristol City and the Seagulls struggling with form, injuries and suspensions.

Their defeat at Reading was compounded by a booking for Liam Bridcutt which rules him out of the Ricoh Arena trip alongside Ashley Barnes and Romain Vincelot, both sent-off in an incredible first-half against Burnley last week.

A host of injuries leave manager Gus Poyet without nine players in total for New Year's Eve but he tried to remain in upbeat mood when talking to local newspaper The Argus.

'It's a funny situation but that is where we are. We cannot control that. We need to make sure the ones there on Saturday are organised and good enough to win the game.'

The meeting is a quick rematch from November's game at the Amex Stadium where Gary Gardner netted on his Sky Blues debut but was unable to prevent a 2-1 defeat.

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