Can City Tyke the points?

The talking stops at 3pm on Saturday as Barnsley and Coventry City take to the field for their opening game of the 2007/08 season.

As always on opening day the weather is set fair and a healthy contingent of Sky Blues' fans should be behind the goal to cheer on their team.

Iain Dowie: 'I have been to Oakwell many times and they get a great atmosphere there and the first game of the season is always very special.

'They are usually very frantic and very competitive but I think, physically, we are looking in very good shape and getting close to getting the injured lads back.'

Nine summer signings are available to make their Barnsley debuts including ex-City loanee Rohan Ricketts.

Signed from Cheltenham in the summer, the striker has been in good form in pre-season.

De Zeeuw, Cairo and McNamee will not play, Leon Best is a doubt with a knee injury.

Could get the nod to partner Elliott Ward in the centre of defence but made a couple of clangers against Udinese last week and has been told that Gary Borrowdale will be first-choice at left-back.

Wayne Andrews scored the only goal of last season's game to justify Micky Adams' decision to take off Leon McKenzie just minutes before.

Mr S W Mathieson of Cheshire takes charge.

Carling Cup home ties for Barnsley against Darlington and for the Sky Blues against Notts County.

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