KELVIN Davis has scotched suggestions that he has a long-standing back problem which will afflict him for life, writes Derek Davis.The Blues keeper, who was forced off at half time during the 1-1 draw with Reading after slightly injuring his back, is expected to be fit for tomorrow's game at Coventry City.

KELVIN Davis has scotched suggestions that he has a long-standing back problem which will afflict him for life, writes Derek Davis.

The Blues keeper, who was forced off at half time during the 1-1 draw with Reading after slightly injuring his back, is expected to be fit for tomorrow's game at Coventry City.

Davis told the EADT that he went off as a precaution and was confident replacement Lewis Price would be fine.

Scans yesterday confirmed that there was no serious injury to Davis.

He said: "I went up for a routine cross and came down hard and jarred my back. I have strained a ligament in my lower back but it is something which is easily rectified.

"I didn't feel comfortable at half time and rather than just play on I was honest with the Gaffer. It was totally the right thing to do because I didn't want to go out there with a slight injury and cause, or be the cause, of a problem.

"Lewis did his job but was not really asked any serious questions."

It was reported elsewhere that Davis would suffer for the rest of his life with the injury, something the former Luton and Wimbledon keeper denied.

He said: "The business about me having a long-term back problem is ludicrous. All goalkeepers, indeed all players, carry aches and pains, I'm sure Lewis has a couple after Tuesday and Shane Supple will after Thursday but they are normal when you are landing on the ground all the time."

The Blues' undisputed No. 1 has been a tremendous acquisition by Joe Royle, adding stability at the back and giving his defenders confidence.

He has missed just one and a half league games since signing in the summer of 2003 – last season he suffered a bout of sickness before the game at Gillingham and then came off last Tuesday at half time.

Wales Under-21 keeper Price has been given a chance to gain more experience during Carling Cup games but knows Davis will not miss games easily and wants to play at Highfield Road tomorrow.

Davis said: "I won't take unnecessary risks and we will see how it is on Sunday after we travel up but I hate to miss games and will be looking to play."

The Blues face a Sky Blues side stung by a 4-1 midweek defeat at QPR and who have not started the season as well as expected.

Davis said: "I'm surprised to see how low they are in the league and after Tuesday I imagine they will be fired up and looking to impress in front of their own crowd.

"It will be a challenge for us but it is important for us to win and stay at the top end."

Fabian Wilnis sits out the second game of his three-match ban after being dismissed against Plymouth last Saturday and Royle is not expected to change the side much from Tuesday's draw with Reading, although Ian Westlake may get his starting place back.