Robbie Simpson set for Coventry City start

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ROBBIE SIMPSON is in contention to make his first start for more than a month when Coventry City travel to Preston North End at the weekend.

The departures of Dele Adebola and Kevin Kyle have moved the young striker up the first team pecking order.

And with Michael Mifsud away on international duty this week - though he'll be back for Saturday's match - Iain Dowie is considering giving the player a place in the starting eleven.

"With Dele and Kyler going, Robbie comes much more into the fore and I thought he did very well when he came on against Barnsley," said the City manager of the 22-year-old.

Simpson has recently recovered from a nasty muscle tear.

"And with Michael being away with Malta, it is a massive opportunity for him to get very involved because whatever the travelling is, it does take its toll.


"I still believe that letting people go is the best decision for the future of the club.


"I stand to be criticised but I feel that Robbie, Leon and Michael will give us a bright future along with maybe one other.


"That's not to say that Kyler won't come back, but Dele has moved on."


And Dowie is encouraged that with players coming back from injury that competition will start hotting up again, and he is still hopeful of adding to his attack.

"Marcus Hall is getting close which is a big boost for us, Michael Hughes is back fit and Chris Birchall is back around the place so competition is stepping up again," he said.

"It is refreshing to see and probably the only place where we
haven't got it now is up front.

"But it is an area that we would like to strengthen but I am not panicking and it has got to be the right one.

"We would like to do loans with a view to making them permanent, if that's the way we can do it.

"Tthere are one or two opportunities we are still pressing on with, although we can't do anything until the end of the week."