Coventry vs Birmingham preview

Team news and stats ahead of Coventry vs Birmingham in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

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Team news

Coventry boss Mark Robins has plenty of options at his disposal, with only a trio of long-term casualties on the sidelines in midfielders Wesley Jobello, Dan Bartlett and Reise Allassani, all with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Winger Jodi Jones is pushing for a recall following a year out with a second ruptured ACL, but has been told to be patient as he builds up his fitness and playing time in the U23s.

With a number of forwards available, Robins this week allowed striker Jordan Ponticelli to join National League side Wrexham on loan until the end of the season.

Birmingham defender Harlee Dean returns to the squad after completing a two-match suspension, and he is likely to be restored to the starting line-up.

Manager Pep Clotet, however, has yet to decide on his starting XI, although has vowed to play his "best possible team".

Midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld is closing in on a return, after missing all of this season with a knee injury, as he is again training with the first-team squad.

It remains to be seen what part, if any, Jude Bellingham plays given the reported interest in the 16-year-old midfielder from Arsenal and Manchester United.

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• This is the first FA Cup meeting between Coventry and Birmingham since January 2011, also in the fourth round - the Blues won 3-2.
• Coventry and Birmingham haven't met in any competition since August 2012 in the League Cup second round, with the Sky Blues winning 3-2.
• League One side Coventry have reached the FA Cup fifth round in just one of the previous 10 campaigns, doing so during the 2017-18 season.
• Birmingham are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for only the second time since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2010-11 - they last got to that stage back in the 2011-12 season.
• Under Mark Robins, Coventry have progressed from two of their last three FA Cup ties against sides from a higher division, beating both Stoke City and MK Dons during the 2017-18 campaign.

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