Coventry City predicted team v Watford as injuries and jet lag could force Mark Robins’ hand

Coventry City get back to Championship action this weekend when Mark Robins may well be forced into changes to face an in-form Watford side who have suffered just one narrow defeat so far this term.

Mark Robins has had time to work with the majority of his squad during the international break but has been without two regular starters this week as the Sky Blues do their preparation work ahead of Saturday’s trip to Vicarage Road

Long haul travellers Haji Wright and Joel Latibeaudiere, who should be on their way back from the United States and Honduras, respectively, after being on duty with the USA and Jamaica, are expected back on Friday. But in what condition, remains to be seen. As well as the possible effects of jet lag, Robins will have to assess the duo’s fitness.

Striker Wright played 56 minutes of a 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand in Ohio on Tuesday while Latibeaudiere played the full 90 in midfield for the Reggae Boyz as they beat Honduras 2-1 in their midweek Concacaf Nations League match.

Latibeaudiere has been deployed at right-sided centre-half in recent weeks but his international exploits may open the door for Bobby Thomas to return to the back four. Thomas – a virtual ever-present last season – lost his place after the second game of the season and has been on the bench in the league since.

Luis Binks currently has the shirt in the left-sided central defensive berth, with Liam Kitching continuing to wait for his chance to get back into the side. Milan van Ewijk is one of the first names on the teamsheet, and even more so this weekend with Latibeaudiere the only real competition for his place, but indifferent form from Jake Bidwell could prompt a return to the starting line-up for Jay Dasilva.

Behind an expected back four will almost certainly be first choice keeper Oliver Dovin who played 90 minutes for Sweden Under-21s in a goalless draw in Moldova on Tuesday.

The big selection question, however, that fans will be eager to find out about is whether Ben Sheaf is fit enough to play. Encouragingly, the 26-year-old midfielder returned to the grass at Ryton this week but it remains to be seen if he’s ready to start. The likelihood is that if he is OK to travel then he’ll be among the substitutes.

That being the case, it’s once again a choice of two from three with Josh Eccles, Victor Torp and Jamie Allen in contention in central midfield, while Jack Rudoni is likely to continue in a more advanced role. Ellis Simms is expected to continue to lead the line, although the exciting Norman Bassette is breathing down his neck after looking lively in his first few showings for the Sky Blues.

That leaves the wide areas, where Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is a doubt on the right after leaving the Norwich game in a protective boot due to suffering an ankle injury. It’s also unclear whether Wright will be fit to start due to his late return to the fold, which means Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ephron Mason-Clark are on standby to step up and step in. Fabio Tavares, meanwhile, is another option.

Predicted City team v Watford: Oliver Dovin; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Luis Binks, Jay Dasilva; Josh Eccles, Victor Torp; Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark; Ellis Simms.