Coventry City predicted team v Watford as injuries and jet lag could force Mark Robins’ hand
Coventry City predicted team from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner attempts to second guess Mark Robins’ selection for Saturday’s trip to Watford
Coventry City get back to Championship action this weekend when Mark Robins may well be forced into changes to face an in-form Watford side who have suffered just one narrow defeat so far this term.
Mark Robins has had time to work with the majority of his squad during the international break but has been without two regular starters this week as the Sky Blues do their preparation work ahead of Saturday’s trip to Vicarage Road.
Long haul travellers Haji Wright and Joel Latibeaudiere, who should be on their way back from the United States and Honduras, respectively, after being on duty with the USA and Jamaica, are expected back on Friday. But in what condition, remains to be seen. As well as the possible effects of jet lag, Robins will have to assess the duo’s fitness.
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Striker Wright played 56 minutes of a 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand in Ohio on Tuesday while Latibeaudiere played the full 90 in midfield for the Reggae Boyz as they beat Honduras 2-1 in their midweek Concacaf Nations League match.
Latibeaudiere has been deployed at right-sided centre-half in recent weeks but his international exploits may open the door for Bobby Thomas to return to the back four. Thomas – a virtual ever-present last season – lost his place after the second game of the season and has been on the bench in the league since.
Luis Binks currently has the shirt in the left-sided central defensive berth, with Liam Kitching continuing to wait for his chance to get back into the side. Milan van Ewijk is one of the first names on the teamsheet, and even more so this weekend with Latibeaudiere the only real competition for his place, but indifferent form from Jake Bidwell could prompt a return to the starting line-up for Jay Dasilva.
Behind an expected back four will almost certainly be first choice keeper Oliver Dovin who played 90 minutes for Sweden Under-21s in a goalless draw in Moldova on Tuesday.
The big selection question, however, that fans will be eager to find out about is whether Ben Sheaf is fit enough to play. Encouragingly, the 26-year-old midfielder returned to the grass at Ryton this week but it remains to be seen if he’s ready to start. The likelihood is that if he is OK to travel then he’ll be among the substitutes.
