Coventry City head into another international break with the frustration of knowing they have to wait a fortnight before getting the chance to build on a consolidating point against Stoke at the weekend. The goalless draw brought an end to a four-match losing run, with manager Mark Robins admitting he was relieved that the Sky Blues had "stopped the rot" with a point and clean sheet against the Potters at the CBS Arena.
The pause in the fixtures, however, gives the manager and his coaching staff the opportunity to continue to work with their new-look squad on the training field and attempt to iron out on-going issues in front of goal and fine tune things at the back, where the City boss continues to search for as a settle back line.
There's expected to be plenty of work put in at Ryton, while Robins also hopes to welcome back his two remaining injured senior players, Kasey Palmer and Fabio Tavares, to the grass, with the playmaker hoped to be available for the trip to Millwall on November 25. Here we take a look at what's going on in and around the club this week.
Dasilva switches allegiance after international call Jay Dasilva has been called up by former Coventry City skipper Robert Page into the Wales squad for the first time despite representing England throughout his youth career.
The ex-Chelsea defender, 25, has played for the Three Lions at every level from under-16 to under-21, and even captained the U19s to Euro glory in 2017. But the Sky Blues wing-back, who was dropped against Stoke for the first time since joining the club from Bristol City in the summer, has been added to Page's squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia on Saturday and Turkey on November 21.
Coventry fans expressed their surprise at the news, with many not knowing the Luton-born player qualifies for Wales through his grandmother, who was born in Pontypridd. There is a clue, meanwhile, in his name, given that his middle name is Rhys.
Dasilva joins the national team at a crucial time with Wales needing two wins to qualify for the Germany finals next summer.
Although an unused sub on the day, the 20-year-old centre-half has played 27 league games for the League of Ireland Premier Division club over the course of the 2023/24 campaign, and earned his winners' medal as St Pats were crowned Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup champions for the second time in three years following a 3-1 victory over Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium where the Saints had to come from behind in front of a record-breaking cup final crowd of 43,881 in Dublin.
McGrath started his senior career with Mickleover Sports where he made seven first team appearances during the 2019-20 Northern Premier League season. In August 2019 he made history when, aged 16, he and his dad John McGrath, 39 - who started out at Aston Villa - became the first ever father and son to feature together in an FA Cup tie, when they featured in a 3-0 win over Coventry Sphinx.
He signed for the Sky Blues on a two-year contract in the summer of 2020 and went on to captain the Under 23s side. He was then loaned out to St Patrick's in February earlier this year until the end of his contract in the summer, when he was released by City and joined the Irish club on a permanent contract.
Mifsud makes emotional return Former Sky Blues favourite Michael Mifsud was back at the club for the first time at the weekend as a special guest of the former players' association. The 43-year-old, nicknamed the Mosquito during his time at City when he scored a memorable brace at Old Trafford to knock Manchester United out of the League Cup, was presented to supporters on the pitch at half-time and later met fans at Lady G's Casino, having also toured the corporate lounges with current player Kasey Palmer before the 0-0 draw with Stoke.
The one-time striker donated one of his international shirts to the former players' association to be auctioned off at the next Legends Day.
Billy Bell of the association said: "It was a wonderful day having Michael as our guest. He became a member last year and had planned to come over then but, sadly, his visit coincided with the passing of the Queen when the fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect.
"He loved being back at City and was really well received by all the fans that met him on the day."
Michael said: "It has been so emotional for me today. What a great bunch of people and a true family club."
Former Sky Blues striker Michael Mifsud presenting a Malta shirt to Billy Bell of Coventry City's Former Players' Association during his visit to the UK to watch the club in action against Stoke Gibbo back in town Another one-time City favourite, Terry Gibson, will be back in town this Friday (Nov 17) when he will be open to question almost 40 years on to the day since he scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 league victory over then Champions Liverpool at Highfield Road in December 1983.
The event is hosted by Coventry City Former Players' Association's Billy Bell at the Jaguar Social Club, Fenton Road, Coventry (7.30pm) when Terry will be joined by Harry Roberts and Dave Bennett, both of whom played in the game, which saw Bobby Gould's men 3-0 up at the break, with Nicky Platnauer getting the ball rolling with the first goal coming after just 45 seconds from the kick-off.
The Reds side included greats such as Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ian Rush and Alan Hansen, with manager Joe Fagan claiming afterwards that City would be title contenders on that form. You can get tickets (PS20) for the event by ringing 07595 249718 or you can pay on the door.
Former Sky Blues Striker Terry Gibson with his 'Player of the Year' trophy from 1985 Signing session at superstore Fans will be able to meet and get selfies with four current City players on Wednesday (Nov 15) at the club's superstore at the CBS Arena. Jamie Allen and Ben Wilson will be at the store between 5-6pm, while Haji Wright and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto will be there from 6-7pm. Parking for the event will be provided in Car Park B. The event had originally been scheduled for last week (Nov 7) but had to be cancelled due to illness in the Sky Blues camp.