Interim head coach Rhys Carr has made four changes, including two forced, to his first Coventry City team selection in the post Mark Robins’ era as the Sky Blues take on Championship leaders Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The bad news is that skipper Ben Sheaf is out injured on a day when Josh Eccles is already out due to a one match suspension, while goalkeeper Oliver Dovin is also out with a “knock,” meaning Brad Collins comes into the starting line-up for his first league appearances of the season in the continued absence of second choice Ben Wilson.
That means Joel Latibeaudiere is expected to be deployed in midfield along with Victor Torp or Jack Rudoni, with one of those sitting deeper and the other in the more advanced role behind strikers Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright.
The defence, therefore, is likely to see Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching and Luis Binks make up a back three, with Milan van Ewijk at right wing-back and Jay Dasilva on the left.
The positive news is that both Ellis Simms and Norman Bassette have recovered from their respective injuries to take their place on a very young looking bench that includes rookie Luke Bell as back-up keeper.
City: Brad Collins; Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Luis Binks; Milan van Ewijk, Joel Latibeaudiere, Victor Torp, Jay Dasilva; Jack Rudoni; Brandon Thomas-Asante, Haji Wright.
Subs: Luke Bell (GK), Dan Rachel (GK), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ellis Simms, Fabio Tavares, Ephron Mason-Clark, Norman Bassette, Kai Andrews, Callum Perry.
