Coventry Live

There was an unfamiliar name on Coventry City’s teamsheet against Tottenham on Wednesday night, the latest youngster to be promoted to Mark Robins’ senior squad.

That player was Harvey Broad, who has taken the number 51 for his shirt and who the Sky Blues boss believes has a ‘bright future’ at the club if he continues on his current trajectory.

Former City academy graduate James Maddison - who returned to his home town club with Spurs this week - is a shining example of what can be achieved if you have the talent and work ethic to do well at a club where Robins insists opportunities will be given.

“It gives you an understanding of where you can get to if you put the work in and listen and work hard like James has done at the football club,” said the manager.

“There’s opportunity and a pathway for people to come through, and because we don’t carry a huge squad, there’s always an opportunity to break into the squad, first and foremost, and then hopefully they can get some game time and then it’s up to them to stay in.”

Robins says he learned from his own experience as a young striker breaking through at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, that young players often need to be given time to flourish.

“The biggest thing is the understanding,” he said. “When I was at Manchester United and Sir Alex had taken over, I made my debut at 18 years of age and I didn’t do great. I was doing OK in the 18s and juniors and then came through into the first team but I didn’t score my first goal for about two years, from 18-20.

"I scored my first senior goal just shy of my 21st birthday, so the time that was afforded to me is something that I am grateful for because you can be easily discarded, and that’s one thing that I understand that you have got to keep giving people opportunities to get them through – if they are showing the right signs and moving in the right direction to be afforded that time.

“But also, if you can see the attributes and what they are capable of doing, there’s always an opportunity for them to come through.”

Asked about Broad, a left-back by trade, and how he ended up on the bench on Wednesday night, the manager explained: “He came through a different channel. Our scouting network picked him up and he came from Chatham Town this summer. I saw him play against Werder Bremen in the pre-season training ground match, and I liked what I saw.

“Harvey was good and stuck out, and then when I was looking at things ahead of Wednesday, Joel (Latibeaudiere) was unavailable (to cover) so he might have had to play on the right-hand side as a right-back, but he’s technically very good. He’s a good player and somebody who clearly has a bright future if he continues to work hard and keep his head down, and not get frustrated at any lack of opportunity.

“He’s played men’s football already. He’s only 18, maybe just 19, but he’s one of a number of players who have got a chance because he’s got a number of qualities.”

James Maddison has taken to social media after helping knock boyhood club Coventry City out of the Carabao Cup, paying tribute to his 'home' with a message of good luck for the season.

Now 27 years-old, Maddison started his career in the Sky Blues' academy 11 years ago. His quick progression through to the senior side has been a repetitive theme throughout his career as it was by the age of 19 he had been picked up by fellow Championship side Norwich City, two years after that he jumped to the Premier League with Leicester City and for the past two seasons he has been able to try his hand at a 'Big Six' club in Tottenham Hotspur.

The midfielder has amassed 351 career appearances to date, scoring 83 goals and providing 76 assists, but never before last night had he been handed the opportunity to return to the turf he was once so familiar with at the Coventry Building Society Arena. His only appearance against Coventry before that was with Norwich at Carrow Road eight years ago.

His long-awaited return, made possible by the draw of this season's League Cup, almost saw a major upset play out however late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson ensured it would be Spurs and Maddison's names in the next round.

Afterwards, he took to X and penned the message: "Home is where the heart is. I’m so proud and privileged to be a Coventry City academy graduate. As I’ve got older I’ve realised how much Coventry actually means to me. My place of birth and my whole childhood into early adult life. Was a super special feeling to play in this city again with all my friends and family there," adding in brackets alongside a laughing emoji: "Most wanting me to lose."

"Good luck for the rest of the season and beyond. Forever grateful @Coventry_City PUSB," he signed off with a blue heart.

After the full-time whistle the England international had swapped shirts with City favourite Ben Sheaf, donning the colours of his former club as he showed appreciation for the home support.

Ange Postecoglou lavished praise on Coventry City’s ‘fearless’ and ‘outstanding’ approach to the third round Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Sky Blues were just minutes away from knocking the Premier League side out of the competition after Brandon Thomas-Asante put the home side deservedly in front at the CBS Arena, only for two late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson to turn the game on its head.

City boss Mark Robins said Spurs will have been relieved to have got through to the fourth round, while his opposite number said: “I thought they ( Coventry ) were outstanding. I have said before, they were really good, made it into a real cup tie and played without fear. “You know, they had great energy and their support was excellent, getting behind them.

“Like I say, it felt like a real cup tie for us coming away from home and, um yeah, credit to Mark (Robins) because you can see they had a big cup run last year and obviously they played without fear and with real positivity, and all credit to them.”

He added: “We hung in there, which suggests we just dug deep to stay in the game. We didn’t dominate it and we certainly don’t fall into the lucky or unlucky because if we were lucky tonight then it probably means we have been unlucky in the other games. Who cares, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a game of football and we just found a way to win tonight.”

Coventry City went agonisingly close to pulling off another cup upset with a deserved second half lead being overturned by Tottenham’s big guns from the bench in the final six minutes of an entertaining third round Carabao Cup tie at the CBS Arena.

Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson scored in the 88th and 92nd minutes to cancel out Brandon Thomas-Asante’s opener that looked to have put the Sky Blues on course for the fourth round of the competition.

But despite the ultimate frustration of not being able to see out the game after missing good chances to extend their lead, the positives out-weighed the disappointment, City having more than matched their top flight opponents and given them a real scare. Here we look at some of the big talking points.

Flying the Sky Blue flag

Once again Mark Robins’ men flew the Sky Blues flag for the club with another impressive performance against a top Premier League side. Having beaten Wolves and been denied victory over Manchester United in such dramatic fashion in the FA Cup last season, Coventry further endeared themselves to the neutrals and national media by pushing Spurs to within minutes of an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit.

City thoroughly deserved their lead when it finally came just after the hour and passed up several opportunities to secure their passage into the fourth round of the competition in a pulsating cup tie on the telly.

Multi-million pound margin

Ange Postecoglou made eight changes to his starting line-up that lost 1-0 to north London rivals Arsenal at the weekend, but his starting eleven still had a market value of £196million. The bench, meanwhile, was worth a whopping £267m, including the likes of Son, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and one of the most exciting teenage prospects in British football, Mikey Moore.

For further context, the four players who created and scored Spurs’ two late goals – Kulusevski, Djed Spence, Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson – add up to £123m while the 15 who turned out for the Sky Blues on the night are valued at £50m!

Hiding coming

As disappointing and frustrating as the final result was, the general consensus appears to be that if the Sky Blues can transfer that sort of scintillating football into the league then they are going to give someone a real spanking soon. The squad has made a stuttering start in the Championship but really encouraging back-to-back performances against Watford and Premier League opponents suggests things are starting to click with this exciting group of players.

Robins made seven changes from last weekend and they played so well that it went to show the impressive strength in depth and, perhaps, a glimpse of what City might be capable of when they finally get up to speed. One of the most exciting performances on the night was that of Norman Bassette whose raw talent shone through from minute one as he led the line with an exhilarating centre-forward’s display.

The teenage striker is so quick, leaving Ben Davies for dead on one blistering attack, and showed a really calm head to set up Brandon Thomas-Asante for his goal. His contribution has certainly whet the appetite for a lot more from the young lad who looks a real talent and serious competition for Ellis Simms.

Unsung heroes

Josh Eccles took the captain’s armband and rose to the occasion and the responsibility with an incredibly mature performance as the Academy graduate continues to grow in stature in the team. Jamie Allen, too, so often put down and undervalued by many fans, was back to his best with a really industrious and effective role alongside his younger midfield partner. He read the game well, blocked, tackled and generally mopped up with his trademark non-stop running to help keep Spurs at arm’s length for long periods of the game to show, once again, what a good squad player he is to call upon.

Mark Robins couldn’t hide his frustration after his Coventry City side went within minutes of knocking Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup in a pulsating third round tie at the CBS Arena.

The Sky Blues took a deserved second half lead through Brandon Thomas-Asante but passed up chances to kill the game before Ange Postecoglou sent on his big guns, including Cov Kid James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Son, before Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson turned the game in Spurs' favour with goals in the 88th and 92nd minutes.

“I’m going to try not to swear,” said the City manager, reflecting on the unluckiest of 2-1 defeats. “I thought we were good, I thought we were really good out of possession and got most things right. In possession for the first 15 minutes we tended to rush it and went long too early.

"But after that we settled down into a rhythm and started to pass the ball like we can, like we know we can do, and you have to put that into the context of the way that they press. And even though they made some changes(eight in all), the players that came into the side are top players.”

He added: “What generally happens at those clubs when they do it for a cup game, they can look at it and think that they are the second best, the subs or the reserves or whatever and then, mentally, they’re not on it. And that’s what you hope for as a Championship team, or a side from a lower division.

“But they (Spurs) performed really, really well to be fair. They came after us really well and even though we got some things wrong it was because of the pressure they put us under with their press. Hence the reason we went long early in the game. But I thought we settled down really well and created some decent openings.”

For the second game running, however, Robins was left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.

“We still have to be more ruthless, let’s be honest,” he said. “I keep saying, when life presents you with chances we seem to not take those chances at this moment in time.

“I look back to the play-off final and the game against Manchester United and it was there for us, and the game was there for us again tonight and we just didn’t manage to take it. There’s the disappointment but there are so many positive from the game.”

He added: “The finish from Brandon, for one. When Norman (Bassette) got down the left and showed great composure, brilliant skills and great pace – everything you want from a centre-froward – and he got his head up and played a really well weighted pass into Brandon’s path and that’s a finish; crisp and clean and the keeper had no chance and it put us deservedly 1-0 up.

“And then we had chances in the first half, one from Rudy where the ball gets played across and he controlled it really well but they made a block. And whilst those might be difficult chances, we have got to start converting those opportunities. The second half we had balls into the area that we missed. Ephron has had a couple of opportunities at the far post again and he has to keep getting in there because those will turn into goals at some point.

“From our perspective, yes, it’s disappointing that we didn’t see the job out and get over the line but there are lots and lots of positives from that tonight. And if you’re Tottenham Hotspur you are probably relieved to go through at our expense.”

Coventry City were minutes away from an historic cup upset after taking a deserved second half lead against Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

But two late goals from the visitors in the 88th and 92nd minutes turned the tie on its head and secured victory for the Premier League side on a night of high drama at the CBS Arena where the Sky Blues did themselves proud with a superb overall performance.

City came flying out of the blocks with Jack Rudoni testing the keeper in the first minute from a blistering attack straight from the kick-off in a thoroughly entertaining and encouraging first half.

Rudoni went close again when he got on the end of a deep Jake Bidwell cross while the exciting Norman Bassette burst through on a couple of occasions, forcing Fraser Forster to tip over the bar before the two sides went in all square at the break.

Bassette then played a square ball to Thomas-Asante in the 63rd minute and the striker hit a clean shot past Forster to give Coventry a deserved lead.

Substitutes Ellis Simms and Ephron Mason-Clark went agonisingly close to extending the lead as City went searching for a second goal to put the tie beyond doubt, while Ben Wilson pulled off a brilliant save to deny Kulusevski at the other end.

Kulusevski then played Djed Spence through in the box and he slotted home to equalise in the 88th minute and Brennan Johnson beat the off-side trap in the second minute of stoppage time to secure the victory for the visitors.

STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1

BEN WILSON: 8

Looked confident, commanding his area well and distributing the ball well early on in the game, playing it long when required to cut out the Tottenham press. Pulled off a brilliant reaction save to deny a Ben Davies’ header from a corner on the hour. Pulled off another terrific stop to deny Kulusevski in the 80th minute. Two big saves on the night!

MILAN VAN EWIJK: 7

Had his work cut out at right-back trying to contain Spurs’ threat down the left. Defended really well in the first 45 minutes when he got forward well and posed a threat down the right.

BOBBY THOMAS: 7.5/8

Faced a tough test on paper trying to keep Dominic Solanke shackled, which he did brilliantly in the first half as the striker barely had a sniff on goal, and played a sensational long ball to spring Bassette for a first half chance. Read the game well but guilty of the occasional sloppy pass out.

LUIS BINKS: 7.5/8

The former Tottenham Academy player rose to the occasion and looked really confident in possession, clearly keen to show his quality with a no-nonsense approach to defending.

JAKE BIDWELL: 7.5

Used his physicality to good effect on Wilson Odobert, who he went through as he won the ball on the left. The young lad had to go off injured, only to be replaced by Brennan Johnson! Got forward on the overlap and sent in some lovely deep crosses, the best of which provided a chance for Rudoni. Sent in a lovely cross for a Simms header.

JOSH ECCLES: 7.5/8

Took the armband and looked to have grown in stature on the night, getting his foot in and pinging some lovely early diagonals. Played with real maturity.

JAMIE ALLEN: 7.5

Worked incredibly hard chasing and closing down in a bid to win back possession. Did an excellent job mopping up as he read the game well.

BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE: 7.5/8

Covered plenty of ground in a hard working display, tracking up and down the right wing and posed a threat with his pace and close control. Sent in a searching low cross which Haji stretched to get to but just failed to connect. Gave City a deserved lead with a lovely finish from a Bassette square ball.

JACK RUDONI: 8.5

Tested the keeper in the first minute, forcing him to make a good save as City flew out of the blocks with their own aggressive press. The attacking midfielder showed incredible work-rate, often tracking back to help win back the ball in deep areas. Hit a first time shot from a Bidwell cross, only for the keeper to block. Won the ball brilliantly to set up a chance for Bassette.

HAJI WRIGHT: 6.5

Forced to drop a little deeper than usual to help contain Spurs’ attacking threat but didn’t have the best of halves as he gave the ball away in his own half on two or three occasions. Much more of a threat after the break.

NORMAN BASSETTE: 7.5/8

Attempted a lovely turn on the halfway line in a bid to run free, only to be brought to ground by a cynical foul that went unpunished as the striker make a lively and confident start, showing blistering pace to leave Ben Davies standing on one occasion. Burst through just before the break and hit a shot that the keeper tipped over. Even more of a threat after the break when he tested the keeper at his near post but missed arguably the easiest chance of the night. Set up BTA for the lead.

SUBSTITUTES:

ELLIS SIMMS (70 mins, for Bassette): 6

Went close with a directed header from a Bidwell cross and looked a real presence up top. Set up EMC for a decent chance at the far post.

BEN SHEAF (70 mins, for Eccles): 6

Ooozed quality and showed a calm head, just what City needed as they attempted to see out the game.

EPHRON MASON-CLARK (70 mins, for Wright): 6

Went agonisingly close to making it 2-0 when he slid in at the far post after a ball from Simms.

VICTOR TORP (78 mins, for Rudoni): 5

Worked hard as City attempted to see out the last ten minutes but lost the ball in stoppage time as Spurs counter attacked and scored the winner.

Subs (not used): Brad Collins (GK), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Liam Kitching, Kai Andrews, Harvey Broad.

TOTTENHAM (4-3-3): Fraser Forster; Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie (HT, for Djed Spence); Lucas Bergvall (62 mins, for James Maddison), Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr; Wilson Odobert (18 mins, for Brennan Johnson), Dominic Solanke (62 mins, for Son Heung-Min), Timo Werner (75 mins, for Dejan Kulusevski).

Subs (not used): Guglielmo Vicario (GK), Sergio Reguilon, Pedro Porro, Mikey Moore.

GOALS:

SKY BLUES: Thomas-Asante (63)

SPURS: Spence (88), Johnson (90+2)

REFEREE: Darren England

ATTENDANCE: 24,606 (3,077 away)

NEXT UP: Swansea (h), Saturday, September 21 (3pm).

Mark Robins has made seven changes to his Coventry City side to face Premier League Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup on a night when Ben Sheaf and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto make a welcome return to the matchday squad.

The Sky Blues boss is sticking with Ben Wilson in goal for the competition, with the current understudy having played in the previous two rounds, while Jake Bidwell comes in for Jay Dasilva at left-back and Luis Binks for Liam Kitching at left centre-back. Milan van Ewijk and Bobby Thomas complete the back four.

Josh Eccles takes the captain’s armband in midfield where he is partnered by Jamie Allen, who comes in for the rested Victor Torp, while Jack Rudoni continues in the more advanced number ten slot. Brandon Thomas-Asante starts on the right of the forward three with Haji Wright coming in for Ephron Mason-Clark on the left.

That leaves Norman Bassette to lead the line in place of Ellis Simms, who provides attacking back-up from the bench.

City: Ben Wilson; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Luis Binks, Jake Bidwell; Josh Eccles, Jamie Allen; Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jack Rudoni, Haji Wright; Norman Bassette.

Subs: Brad Collins (GK), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ellis Simms, Liam Kitching, Ephron mason-Clark, Ben Sheaf, Victor Torp, Kai Andrews, Harvey Broad.

Get the latest Coventry City news sent straight to your phone by joining our Sky Blues WhatsApp group. It's a free service. You just need WhatsApp on your phones to participate. To join, just click here, select 'Join Community' and you're in. If you later decide to leave our community, you can do so by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Spurs make eight changes

Tottenham have made eight changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the weekend, with the only survivors from that match being Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Local lad and Sky Blues Academy graduate James Maddison is among a strong looking ben that includes the likes of Son Heung-Min and Dejan Kulusevski.

Team news - seven changes

Mark Robins has made seven changes to his Coventry City side to face Premier League Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup on a night when Ben Sheaf and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto make a welcome return to the matchday squad.

The Sky Blues boss is sticking with Ben Wilson in goal for the competition, with the current understudy having played in the previous two rounds, while Jake Bidwell comes in for Jay Dasilva at left-back and Luis Binks for Liam Kitching at left centre-back. Milan van Ewijk and Bobby Thomas complete the back four.

Josh Eccles takes the captain’s armband in midfield where he is partnered by Jamie Allen, who comes in for the rested Victor Torp, while Jack Rudoni continues in the more advanced number ten slot. Brandon Thomas-Asante starts on the right of the forward three with Haji Wright coming in for Ephron Mason-Clark on the left.

That leaves Norman Bassette to lead the line in place of Ellis Simms, who provides attacking back-up from the bench.

City: Ben Wilson; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Luis Binks, Jake Bidwell; Josh Eccles, Jamie Allen; Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jack Rudoni, Haji Wright; Norman Bassette.

Subs: Brad Collins (GK), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ellis Simms, Liam Kitching, Ephron mason-Clark, Ben Sheaf, Victor Torp, Kai Andrews, Harvey Broad.

City boss urges fans to recognise shining light

One of Coventry City’s biggest Academy success stories returns to his home town club tonight and manager Mark Robins hopes that he gets a ‘lovely’ reception at the CBS Arena.

That player is, of course, James Maddison – a Cov Kid, born and bred in the area and who first made his name with the Sky Blues before setting off on a top level career that has seen him reach close to 200 Premier League appearances for Leicester City and Tottenham, and earn seven England caps to date.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder, who graduated from the Sky Blues’ youth set up in 2013, going on to make 42 appearances for City before being sold to Norwich, remains a shining light for the Academy.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE:

Robins reaffirms commitment after 'sad' decision by rivals

Mark Robins has reaffirmed his commitment to Coventry City following the ‘sad’ sacking of his opposite number at Stoke, Steven Schumacher.

The Sky Blues boss has sympathy for the 40-year-old manager who was dismissed by The Potters on Monday, just five games into the Championship season, having lost three and won two of the club’s opening league matches, including victory in their opening game of the campaign against City. Stoke are currently a point and place above Coventry in the division, and the managerial casualty comes as the second in the Championship so far this term, following Ryan Lowe’s departure from Preston North End after the first game.

Asked if it ever ceases to amaze him when managers are sacked so soon into a new season, Robins said: “No. I think it’s always sad when someone loses their job. Steven Schumacher did fantastic things with Plymouth, left to go to what appeared to be a job where he could move on further, and quicker I suppose, but there’s a lot to be said for sticking with what you have got and what you know and have started to build.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE:

Coventry City's 'free hit' and 'nightmare' prep

Mark Robins insists Wednesday night’s big Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur is a “free hit” for Coventry City against one of the most aggressive pressing sides in Europe.

The Sky Blues break off from their league campaign to entertain Spurs at the CBS Arena (8pm kick-off) knowing they will be clear underdogs, but also that there will be a hint of expectation from the Championship side that beat Premier League Wolves and were a ridiculous VAR decision away from knocking out Manchester United in a brilliant FA Cup run last season.

Asked if the players are in good spirits and looking forward to the game, the City manager said: “I think they were after the game on Saturday, having played pretty well and created a load of chances. And had we taken those and taken the win it would have given us a really good platform going into the Tottenham game. But whatever happened on Saturday wouldn’t necessarily prepare you for a Tottenham side who have the most aggressive press in Europe at the minute, with top players in their side.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE:

Experienced boss's Coventry City tip

Experienced Championship manager Gary Rowett believes Coventry City are now one of the “bigger” clubs in the division and is standing by his tip for a top six finish despite the club’s sluggish start to the new league campaign.

The Sky Blues have just five points from their opening five games but put in a more encouraging performance in their 1-1 draw at Watford at the weekend and have fared better in the Carabao Cup, winning their opening two games to progress to the third round of the competition for the first time in 12 years – the reward being a glamorous tie with Tottenham at the CBS Arena tonight.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE:

Drivers are being warned to expect traffic as Coventry City take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup. The Sky Blues will play Spurs at the Coventry Building Society Arena tonight (September 18).

The game kicks-off at 8pm but online traffic reporting website has warned that 'extra traffic' is expected in the run-up to the match. It has pin-pointed Phoenix Way as an area to watch out for this evening.

Fans are set to flock to the CBS Arena for the much anticipated match as the Sky Blues take on the Premier League team. The club's have competition history, in fact one of them led to one of the Sky Blue's greatest days.

The Sky Blues famously beat Spurs in the 1987 FA Cup final back in 1987. Now they meet again, in the third round of what is a different cup competition. Coventry beat Oxford United to book their place in the third round.

For more about the match, included the predicted starting Sky Blues' starting team, see our sports story here

Mark Robins admits he has some tough decisions to make with every one of his Coventry City players “desperate” to play against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Sky Blues boss has historically used the Carabao Cup to give game time to his wider squad, as he did in the first two rounds of the competition this time around. That has resulted in early exits until this season when City have progressed to the third round for the first time in 12 years after beating Bristol City and Oxford United.

But a glamorous and mouth-watering tie against Premier League opposition doesn’t happen very often, and is an occasion every player wants to be involved in.

“From our point of view we have got some who are desperate to play, some players who have been in the team and others who have been on the periphery,” said the City manager. “They’re all desperate to play in this game, which is on live TV with a big crowd. You don’t get to experience it that often, so that’s my next few hours, making sure we have a coherent plan and having a team in place that can give a really good account of themselves and do Coventry City proud, as they have done in the past.

“We had a brilliant FA Cup run last year and this is the first time we have been beyond the second round in 12 years or so, so we know how difficult it is, and it’s been historically difficult to get through because we have tended to use this for people that have needed the next game to keep everyone as level as we can with their game time and load. So sometimes that pays off and sometimes it doesn’t. This season it has because we have a really good depth to the squad in most areas, so we have managed to get through and played some really decent stuff so far in this competition.”

One player who is as desperate to feature as the fans will be to see him back on the pitch is Arsenal graduate Ben Sheaf, who hasn't started a game all season due to a summer ankle injury.

Asked about his desire to play and how he’s doing with his recovery, Robins said: “Yeah (he’s desperate to play), and Ben and Tatsu have been training and they’ll train again today and I’ll see how they are. But it’s just nice to have them back on the grass, and every day that goes by they are getting closer and closer, which is a real positive for us.”

The 26-year-old midfielder was pitched back in against Oxford in the previous round of the competition, going on as a late substitute, only to break down two days later in training and forcing him to miss more games. It remains to be seen whether he'll be re-introduced to the matchday squad or whether Robins will save him for the weekend's league game against Swansea.

As for fellow midfielder Josh Eccles, who suffered a shoulder injury at Watford on Saturday, the manager added: “He came in on Monday and had some attention paid to his shoulder. He did some rehabilitation work, didn’t go on the grass but he was in a better place than we had initially feared.”