Coventry manager Gordon Strachan will ask his side for a repeat performance against fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers at Highfield Road tomorrow – well almost.

Strachan was delighted with the grit his side showed to come back against Charlton at home seven days ago when they battled to a 2-1 win after having striker John Aloisi sent off.

They were a goal down when the Aussie striker was ordered off and Strachan knows they will have to display the same determination to avoid a traditional Coventry scramble against relegation.

He said:

"I was delighted with the performance from a commitment point of view. I hope the same thing happens tomorrow and we really get together as a group – but hopefully have everyone on the field!

"Games are for high stakes at the moment. They are all like semi-finals at this stage of the season. If you win you have achieved something but defeat does leave you with a touch of despair. You are out, finished.

"Last week was a very important result for us and this is another vital game. There is no way this will be a free-flowing match, it will be a tense affair where we will have to dig into our reserves of mental strength.

"We are out of the bottom three but we know how quickly things can change. Blackburn, Charlton and us have all been on good runs but we are still down there."

Strachan is certain to make changes. He has already stated he will bring Dutch midfielder George Boateng back into the side after his suspension despite being unsettled by an alleged interest from Midland rivals Aston Villa.

That means Noel Whelan will push up front, so either John Aloisi or Darren Huckerby will miss out. Aloisi is due to start a three-match ban against Arsenal a week tomorrow but has made a good impression and could just keep his place with Huckerby dropping down.

Strachan added:

"George will definitely play. Whatever has happened in the last 10 days he is able to leave it behind on the pitch and he has been phenomenal on the training field.

"He has done every so well and I know when he runs out nothing else will matter other than us getting the maximum points. I have no doubts about that at all."