Coventry City Reserves kick off their home campaign tonight with a match against Wimbledon (7pm).

The Sky Blues are in the southern section of the FA Premier Reserve League and will face the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham during the season.

They recorded a 3-3 draw with Tottenham in their opening game, played at St Albans.

The new league is a significant step up for the second string but coach Trevor Peake feels that can only be good for the squad.

"You always want to pitch yourself against the best opposition and we will certainly be able to do that this season.

"There are some top clubs involved and I just hope that the games are played at the major grounds. The first wasn’t and that was a shame because a major point of reserve football is to give youngster players experience that will prove useful when they graduate through to the first team.

"We have got a young squad but they know that the chance is there to progress through to the first team party. Gary McSheffrey has already shown that with his senior appearances."

Season ticket holders, members and Junior Sky Blues can watch the game for free, while normal admission is just £2.

Ticket office manager Jamie Roberts said the improved opposition should see gates rising.

He said:

"It is undoubtedly a better standard this season and it is a chance for people to see some top names in action.

"We are hoping that gates will be up, which in turn will help the team."

Marcus Hall is expected to make his first appearance of the season. Hall, who has been dogged by injuries for the past two seasons, was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday.

The City trio of Chris Kirkland, McSheffrey and Craig Pead have been called into the England under-18 squad to play Switzerland Peterborough on 7 September.

The under-17s and under-19s got their season off to a start at the weekend. The under-17s went down 2-1 at home to Millwall, with Lee Fowler getting the goal, while the senior side lost away 3-1 to the same opposition.