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ex sky blue legend Cyrille Regis will be at WH Smith in COV on 31st August 11am-1pm, signing copies of the book "Smokin' Joe" - Cyrille Regis, 25 Years in Football.

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Blackburn have ditched plans to sign Coventry midfielder David Thompson, with manager Graeme Souness saying Rovers cannot afford him.
Souness has been pursuing the former Liverpool man throughout the summer but has been unable to negotiate a deal due to the Sky Blues' asking price for the midfielder.
Reports had suggested that a deal was set to be completed before Saturday's Premiership opener against Sunderland. However, Souness - who admits he would have liked to have been busier in the transfer market this summer - says he has abandoned his bid to land the right-sided midfielder due to a lack of transfer funds.
Souness said: "Quite simply, the money isn't available to pursue the transfer. We don't have the money to buy David Thompson."
That means the only summer arrivals at Ewood Park are Dwight Yorke, Andy Todd and Sebastian Pelzer for a combined fee of £2.75m.
"Yorkie and Toddy improve our squad a lot but I would have liked to have signed more players," Souness said. "Still, we should be better than last season because a lot of our youngsters have more experience of the top level now.
"Last year, they hadn't proved themselves at the Premiership level but they have a full season under their belts now."

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www.iccoventry.co.uk

Hughes is happy to stay

Lee Hughes aims to be back at West Bromwich Albion next year - spearheading the Coventry City attack in a Premiership derby.

The former Hawthorns hero has been persistently linked with a return to his former club since the Sky Blues made it clear that they are desperate to sell him and David Thompson to ease their massive debts.

Chairman Mike McGinnity admitted on the eve of the new season that preliminary talks have already taken place between the two clubs. But after setting up Jay Bothroyd’s winner in a precious 2-1 verdict at Reading, Hughes insisted that his only priority is the promotion drive at Highfield Road.

“I’ve got three years left on my contract and I’m not looking to move at all,” stressed the striker who finally shook off a troublesome knee injury to make his first start of the season at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

“I’m happy to play for Coventry and hopefully help get them promoted because we’ve got a great chance when you look at the strength of our squad.

“There’s no doubt about it, if the gaffer can hold on to everyone we’ll be looking for at least a top-six place and hopefully automatic promotion in the top two.”

Asked about the ongoing Baggies speculation, Hughes said: “I’m very pleased for West Brom and pleased that, in a way, I helped them get into the Premiership - if they hadn’t sold me I don’t think they would have gone up because they couldn’t have bought the play-ers they did.

“Yes, I’d like to be at West Brom next season, but as a Coventry player.

“Like everybody else, I’m really enjoying my football here. The coaching staff have brought a buzz to the players and the fans and the team spirit is just unbelievable at the moment.”

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So far So Good I say

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from www.iccoventry.co.uk

Coventry City are winning the battle to get Gary McAllister fit for Saturday’s home match against Crystal Palace.

The Highfield Road boss limped out of the 2-1 win at Reading 10 minutes into the second half with a hamstring problem.

And although City adapted well after his departure, assistant manager Eric Black admitted that they are “desperate” to have the Scot back in the centre of midfield.

But Gary Mills, who shares the Sky Blues coaching responsibilities with McAllister and Black, revealed today: “It’s not as bad as we first thought and we are hoping he will be OK for Saturday.

“He didn’t train yesterday but he’s pleased with the way it’s responding and is aiming to be back by the end of the week. He won’t really know until he starts jogging on it, but the good news is that he’s in with a chance.”

Mills, who will be in charge of the reserves for tonight’s league opener at home to Tottenham Hotspur (7pm) also confirmed that City have made an offer to Frenchman Fabien Debec.

The goalkeeper, from Rennes, has been training with the club alongside Bulgarian Zdravko Zdravkov, each playing 45 minutes during last week’s private friendly against Aston Villa.

“We are hoping to sign Fabien,” said Mills. “We are trying to sort it out at the moment but it’s doubtful anything could be wrapped up by tonight so Gary Montgomery will be in goal.”

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from www.ccfc.co.uk

Coventry City reserves kick-off their new season tonight at Highfield Road against Colin Calderwood’s Tottenham Hotspur.(7pm)

The first game in the Premier Reserve League Southern Section sees Gary Mills’ side line-up against a Spurs team which includes Les Ferdinand and Chris Perry.

The Sky Blues will field a young team with a number of Academy players called into the squad. Under 17 forward Isaac Osbourne could have his first chance to impress in the reserves, joining forces with his under 19 team-mate Rory May, who scored at the weekend against Watford.

Steve Walsh is also named in the side, providing the team with some much needed experience. The seasoned professional is still on trial with the City and is likely to be in the starting line-up.

The reserves will be looking to improve on last year’s season, which saw them finish second from bottom in the league.

Craig Pead and Robert Betts are both likely to be involved in the clash against the London side, along with Lee Mills, who has not yet started for the first team this season.

Kick-off is at 7pm and admission costs £2 for adults and £1 for concessions. Members get in free.

Coventry City from: Montgomery, Brush, Pead, Cooney, Walsh, Quinn, Pipe, Betts, Jephcott, Normann, Mills, McSheffrey, Grant, Stanford, Osbourne, May

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Coventry City defender Gary Caldwell is winning his battle for fitness after picking up an injury before even kicking a ball for the Sky Blues.

Highly rated Caldwell was snapped up by Gary McAllister on a year’s loan from Newcastle United back in June, but suffered a knee injury in pre-season training that prevented him travelling with the team on the tour to Germany.

The promising 20-year-old had not made a first team appearance for the Magpies before moving to City, but has won four caps for Scotland, and is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in Britain.

And it seems he may get a chance to impress soon if his recovery continues, with Coventry’s other young centre back, Calum Davenport, having to sit out three matches following his sending-off at Brighton a week ago.

Davenport’s suspension begins with the home tie against Nottingham Forest and although a full return is not guaranteed for that game, Macca is pleased with Caldwell’s progress.

“Gary has been doing great and is looking stronger all the time. We cannot predict exactly when he will be back to fitness but there is a chance that Calum’s suspension and Gary’s recovery could blend in nicely.”

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www.ccfc.co.uk

An equaliser in the dying seconds from Spurs stole a point from Coventry City in their opening game of the Premier reserve League Southern Section.
It was a disappointing result for Gary Mills' side, who had looked good for their lead after Gary McSheffrey put the home side ahead through a penalty in the 11th minute.
The equaliser also arrived in controversial circumstances, with Spurs awarded the crucial corner when it appeared that the Sky Blues should have had a free-kick.

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from www.iccoventry.co.uk

City Reserves 1 Spurs Reserves 1

Spurs snatched an equaliser in the second minute of injury time to take some of the sheen off an impressive first league outing of the season for Sky Blues' second string.

But the new Highfield Road management team must have been well satisfied with the all-round performance of their home-grown youngsters, who certainly deserved maximum points.

Les Ferdinand, sporting a hefty chunk of plaster on his injured wrist, showed his Premiership quality in the fifth minute when a 20-yard curler forced a full-length save from Gary Montgomery.

But with Steve Walsh adding his composure and energy conservation to a back four that saw Barry Quinn underline his versatility at left-back while Craig Pead and Sean Cooney confirmed their rich potential, City were never stretched again until those dying seconds.

David Pipe - another impressively energetic performer - and David Galbraith collided heavily they tangled deep in the corner. But with Pipe stretched out just off the pitch, Spurs took a quick flag kick that found City distracted and lop-sided as substitute Dean Marney rose unchallenged to steer a firm header past the unprotected Montgomery.

Sky Blues had taken the lead in the 11th minute when Gary McSheffrey maintained his goal-a-game record this term, tempting Diego Bortolozzo into an injudicious lunge just inside the area and picking himself up to clip home a typically cool and precise penalty.

A brazen push on Chris Perry, unspotted by the referee, gave him another sight of goal but this time he couldn't summon up the power to trouble Lars Hirschfeld.

The experienced Perry exacted some revenge minutes later when he clipped McSheffrey's heels and the striker was withdrawn at half-time - a precautionary move to protect a slightly jarred knee - with Avun Jephcott switching from midfield to a more familiar up-front role.

Mills, working his way back to first-team fitness, might have had a couple of goals.

Freed by McSheffrey's delightful dummy and Stephen Kelly' stumble, he drove fractionally wide from 10 yards just before the interval. And when Pead's long ball gave him another clear run at goal in the second half he got his shot on target but was denied by Hirshfeld's reflex stop.

Coventry Reserves: Montgomery; Pead, Cooney, Walsh, Quinn; Pipe, Jephcott, Betts, Stanford; McSheffrey (Osbourne 46 mins), Mills. Subs not used: Grant, Giddings, May, Brush (goalkeeper).

Tottenham Reserves: Hirschfeld, S Kelly, Perry, Bortolozzo (Bowditch 65 mins), Henry, Ricketts (Marney 65 mins), Snee, Jackson, Galbraith, Barnard, Ferdinand (Sutton 83 mins). Subs not used: G Kelly, Hughes.

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CCFC chief executive Graham Hover has confirmed that Scottish Division Three club Elgin City have shown an interest in taking Italian teenagers Marco Brancati and Antonio Gallieri on loan.

"Nothing's been sorted out," he said, "but we're looking at anything sensible with players who aren't part of our first team because if we can offload them that obviously helps our cash position."