Coventry City were today rocked by the news that livewire midfielder Carlton Palmer could miss the remainder of the season.

The 34-year-old former England man, signed from Nottingham Forest for £500,000 in September, has torn a hamstring muscle.

Coventry’s manager Gordon Strachan said:

"He will be out for a long time and he will be lucky to play again this season. We are looking into the possibility of getting his ankle problem resolved at the same time."

Palmer’s arrival coincided with Coventry’s best run of results this season, and he was on the losing side just four times in 16 league games.

"He actually played with this injury at Middlesbrough which shows real guts, but it did not work for us and we pulled him to get him really fit again. It gives us time to sort out his ankle injury and if he plays again before the end of the season it will be a bonus," said Strachan.

"It is a setback, but we have young John Eustace, who is doing well although he lacks the extra 15 years experience that Carlton has."

Coventry could make several changes for Saturday’s local derby at Aston Villa from the side that lost 3-0 at Leeds United last weekend.

Robbie Keane is expected to be fit to resume in place of the Peruvian Ysrael Zuniga, who found the pace hot at Elland Road just ten days after arriving from South America.

Moustapha Hadji is available after suspension and Steve Froggatt and Tomas Gustafsson are reported to be fit for selection.