Coventry’s manager Gordon Strachan has an anxious wait to hear whether his magical Moroccans Moustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo have arrived safely on their flying visit to play against Wimbledon.

The Moroccans are with their national squad preparing for the forthcoming African Nations Cup tournament that could keep them away for five weeks.

The players however were so keen to play one last game for Coventry that they persuaded their national coach to let them fly back to England for the match against Wimbledon at Highfield Road.

They are due to arrive at Heathrow Airport tomorrow and they will drive up to Coventry’s training camp for one day with club mates before the Premiership match. They are due to fly back to Casablanca on Saturday evening.

Strachan is particularly keen to have them in his side, especially after Chippo’s two magnificent goals in last weekend’s FA Cup tie against Burnley.

The manager has a problem during their absence when he has to find midfield cover from among his younger professionals.

He can choose between an Englishman John Eustace, a Scotsman Gavin Strachan, an Irishman Barry Quinn and a Norwegian Runar Normann. They played in the reserves against Wimbledon reserves last night with Eustace and Strachan getting the goals in the 2-0 victory.

Strachan has alternatives however. Swedish international right back Tomas Gustafsson, signed from AIK Solna, Stockholm, played his first full game for the club in the reserves and his inclusion in the first team would release Paul Telfer to move up to midfield when the Moroccans depart.

The manager could also play Noel Whelan in midfield and keep Cedric Roussel up front alongside Robbie Keane.

On Saturday however he has only one concern, whether to start with Roussel or Whelan. Roussel started the last three games, but Whelan scored when he went on as substitute against Burnley.