Clean bill of health for Slade’s side

COVENTRY City will be close to full strength when they resume their League One campaign at Greenhous Meadow today.

The Sky Blues remain rooted to the foot of the League One table after defeat to Bury in midweek, but Russell Slade will be boosted by a near clean bill of health ahead of the trip to Shrewsbury.

The City boss has no additional injury concerns after Stuart Beavon and Jordan Willis both completed 90 minutes unscathed, on their return to the starting XI against Bury on Tuesday night.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Slade said: “It is down to the players to make me pick them, in a shape that we are comfortable with.

“We’ve got one or two down with a virus, when you’ve had a midweek game you have to give everyone adequate time to recover.”

And Slade remains upbeat on Coventry City’s current situation, despite the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bury on Tuesday night.

Slade will be hoping he can inspire his players to their first victory in three games today.

Asked about the Bury defeat, Slade said: “I think Tuesday’s performance epitomised our season, we played particularly well for 25 minutes and put Bury under pressure, but we aren’t hitting those highs consistently.

“Obviously there is an air of disappointment, however they are working at it on a daily basis. “I’ve said before, it is a decent group of people here.

“In terms of where they are with their football development, and consistently hitting the levels that are required, it has been an issue.”

The Sky Blue Army are expected to travel to Greenhous Meadow in numbers, as they continue to demonstrate brilliant support for their club.

Slade added: “The fans, over a number of years, have been disillusioned and it must be frustrating for them. I feel that disappointment, I see that every day.

“I’m working exceptionally hard to try and turn things around for the club, that is my job, that is my responsibility.

“You can’t do it overnight. You can’t rebuild in a short space of time. It can be done, but you need the tools to achieve that.”