Cyrille Regis, one of Coventry City’s most illustrious sons, was back in town today treading the turf he graced for seven years during which time he became the hero of the fans.

Regis has been left eight years so there was an element of surprise in the announcement that he had been awarded a testimonial match by the Sky Blues.

The ex-striker expressed his surprise, but was clearly pleased by the belated show of support.

The testimonial is expected to take the form of two matches at Highfield Road on 31 July – seven days before the start of the new season.

Regis is expected to play in a veterans’ match before the main event which will be a semi-serious affair between the Sky Blues and First Division West Bromwich Albion.

It is expected that the former England man will endeavour to pull together Coventry’s 1987 FA Cup winning team of which he was a member.

The nucleus is to hand. Goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic and centreback Trevor Peake are still at Coventry City, Dave Bennett lives in the area and the joint managers of that year George Curtis and John Sillett still live in Coventry.

The proper match is expected to be a highly competitive affair.

"The managers Gordon Strachan and Dennis Smith will be fine tuning their sides in readiness for the big kick off seven days later so it should be a competitive game," says Regis.

The striker, whose trademark was scoring highly spectacular goals, began his playing career at West Brom with star players like Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson, Derek Statham, Len Cantello and Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown.