Down to bare bones as injuries, fatigue and suspension stretch Coventry City against Ipswich

Coventry City will need to dig deep to summon up as much energy as possible when they take on a determined Ipswich Town side looking for a huge three points to help their quest for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys travel to the CBS Arena on Tuesday night (8pm) knowing that if they secure a win they will only need a single point on the final day of the season, when they entertain virtually down Huddersfield Town at Portman Road, to return to the top flight ahead of Leeds United.

The Sky Blues are currently battling fatigue after three games in the space of seven days, including their energy-sapping FA Cup semi-final that went to extra-time at Wembley, as well as having to deal with fresh injury and suspension issues. Influential midfielder Ben Sheaf is the latest casualty who sat out Saturday’s goalless draw at Blackburn with an unspecified ‘muscle’ injury, joining Luis Binks (Achilles), Victor Torp (stomach) and Fabio Tavares (ankle ligaments). To add insult to injury, centre-half Liam Kitching’s red card at the weekend means he is suspended for the last two games of the season and the first of next, while Joel Latibeaudiere has been managing a calf issue in recent weeks.

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Assuming there are no fresh injuries from Ewood Park, City’s only fit and available centre-backs will be Bobby Thomas and Latibeaudiere, although Jake Bidwell could do a job on the left if the Jamaican is struggling. That means Milan van Ewijk will be favourite to play at right-back and Jay Dasilva on the left, although if Latibeaudiere is fit then Bidwell could provide fresh legs at left-back, having only gone on for the final five minutes at the weekend.

With Brad Collins keeping his place in goal despite recent mistakes, there’s nothing to suggest a change between the posts for the player who did pretty well against Rovers.

Josh Eccles and Liam Kelly appear to be the only fully fit central midfielders available, although Jamie Allen has had a couple of cameos in the last two games and might be able to start, albeit having been out for a long time prior to his return.

Elsewhere, City’s attacking third virtually picks itself. Callum O’Hare was deployed wider than usual at the weekend with Kasey Palmer in the middle and Haji Wright on the left, and Ellis Simms up top. Matty Godden is also available for selection and would provide fresh energy if Robins is concerned about tired legs.

Predicted City team to face Ipswich: Brad Collins; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jake Bidwell; Josh Eccles, Liam Kelly; Callum O’Hare, Kasey Palmer, Haji Wright; Ellis Simms.