Gunny was at the Blackburn game and said: “They’ve won some big matches, derby matches. They’re very confident. Ian and I were at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday night and they thoroughly deserved their victory. It was 1-0 but we thought they were the better team. They took their chance and defended well, there was a good goalkeeping performance from Kieran Westwood, they look a solid defensive unit and they have some experience in the side with Clinton Morrison up front alongside Leon Best. He’s playing with his mask at the moment but doesn’t seem to be fearing anyone. They put in a brave performance up front so we’ll have a difficult task against a team that are bang in form.

“Last week we made enough chances in the game to win it convincingly but for an excellent goalkeeping performance by Brian Jensen. The qualities we showed and our passing and movement were as good as we’ve had over a longer period. We’ve had excellent halves against Barnsley and Southampton, but over a period of 90 minutes, that was one of the best performances we’ve had at home. There is a fine line and we can get to the other side of that line if we can get our ‘goals for’ record up and be a little bit meaner at the back.”

These are two glaring problems that have dogged us since relegation from the Premiership, and it may take a little longer than the 12 games that are remaining this season to fix.

As for the team for tomorrow, Alan Gow returned to training yesterday having missed the Burnley match with a thigh injury, so he may figure. However, Jamie Cureton is hoping to keep his place for his 100th City appearance after scoring last week. Other than that there are no new injury worries only Adam Drury and Dejan Stefanovic are sidelined.

Coventry’s ex-City players are facing mixed news. David Bell will be reinstated on the flank having been cup tied in midweek. No doubt he’ll score, or play a blinder, but, so long as we win he can score a hattrick for all I care. Goalkeeper Andy Marshall is hopefully on the bench, I say hopefully, as he’s never lost in six meetings against us since leaving the club. Striker Leon McKenzie is out for nine months after rupturing an Achilles tendon against Birmingham last week.

Alan Irvine certainly has his team playing solid football since taking over the reigns when they were in a position much like Norwich are now. They were rooted to the bottom of the table but finished comfortably away from danger. This season they are serious contenders for a play off berth having assembled a team of grafters and team players. Former City striker Chris Brown is unavailable for the Lilywhites today, however, as he recovers from injury.

For City today Ryan Bertrand is definitely out having sustained medial ankle ligament damage against Bristol City which ruled him out of England’s under 21 game in midweek. All being well this should just be a short term injury and he may well be available for selection next week, which is good news for the Chelsea loanee.

Sammy Clingan is rated as 50-50 for the game having picked up a thigh strain against Wolves, he also was forced him out of International representation, missing Northern Ireland’s midweek fixture.

One player that did manage a fleeting appearance for his country was David Carney who played the three minutes of injury time at the end of Australia’s game in Yokohoma, Japan for their World Cup qualifying match, so jet lag could keep him out of the starting line up.

Jason Shackell could make his return to the City team following his acquisition on loan from Wolves. Gunn said he would have no hesitation including him in the team on fitness grounds “Jason is a very fit lad. I know that from his time here before,” he said. “He trains well, he’s not missed any training at Wolves and he played in the FA Cup game against Middlesbrough a couple of weeks ago, so he has had games in the middle of January. I’m more than happy that, if selected, Jason’s fitness levels would be good enough.”

City are likely to come up against one player who was strongly linked with a move to Carrow Road. Stoke’s Andrew Davies was supposed to be signing in January but Stoke’s own move for a replacement centre half was scuppered by the snow, so the move never materialised. He was expected to sign in this loan window but has subsequently signed for Preston on loan. No doubt he’ll play the game of his life if selected.

“It won’t bring us points but we will have an influential figure available for the next game and we’re delighted about that. I want to thank the FA committee for making the time to look at it.”