Team News From The Coventry Camp

Last updated : 18 February 2014 By Thetashkentterror

Sky Blues manager Steven Pressley spoke to his club’s official website ahead of his side’s League One match at home to Carlisle this evening, Pressley first talking about a late call-off for United at Crawley on Saturday:

"I feel for the supporters of Carlisle after what happened to them on Saturday. It is always a difficult situation. It is one of the difficulties of the being the most northern club in the league and I'm sure a lot of the fans were well on their way to the game, which must have cost them quite a bit of money. We were quite lucky at the weekend as we were able to call it off early which meant there was little inconvenience to the fans. I'm sure the players and staff were frustrated having prepared themselves for the game, and I'm sure they'll look to take that frustration out on us.

“We were devastating when we won 4-0 at Carlisle. It was one of the best performances of the season as we were relentless in our approach. We scored some fine goals that day and it could have been more. I felt for their manager Greg Abbott at the time as I think he did a great job there on little resource. Graham Kavanagh has taken on the role of manager now and seems to have taken to it well. They're out of the relegation zone, playing some good football. I always believe we can win every game if we play to our strengths, but they will definitely be a different side to the one we faced in August." 

 

 

Meanwhile Sky Blues skipper Carl Baker told his club’s official website:

"It was a really poor performance at Notts County last time out. I don't think anyone on the team played at their best levels, including me. We can only apologise to the fans and the manager for that performance and it was disappointing to have the game at the weekend called off as we've been waiting for a chance to respond. I think Carlisle are going to get the back-lash. The lads are raring to go as we know we need to get a big win under our belts because we're better than what we shown at Notts County.

“We produced a brilliant performance against them earlier in the season and we'll be looking to repeat that. They had a difficult start to the season but have done really well since then under Graham Kavanagh.  They thrive on the role of the underdog and they're always a tough team to play when they're on form. I'm sure they will be up for the game as we got a great win up there earlier in the season and they'll want to put that right."

 

 

In team news for the Sky Blues this evening they have two players definitely missing through injury while they also have doubts over two others. The pair sidelined are central midfielder Mark Marshall who is absent with a hamstring, and striker Callum Wilson who has the night off as he continues to recover from surgery to repair the dislocated shoulder he suffered last month.

The duo who are 50-50 for the game meanwhile are on-loan Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso, who pulled up in training last week with a thigh problem, and left-back Blair Adams who picked up a virus over the weekend. City may hand debuts though to two 18-year olds, in striker Chuba Akpom and winger Michael Petrasso who they signed on loan on Friday from Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers respectively.

 

 

The referee for this evening's match is Steve Bratt from Walsall and he will be assisted down the lines by Wayne Porter from Bourne in Lincolnshire and David Rock from Hertford. Meanwhile the fourth official is Lee Venamore from Maidstone in Kent.