CHRIS Coleman has called on his side to be ready for war on Sunday.

Derek Davis

CHRIS Coleman has called on his side to be ready for war on Sunday.

The Coventry City boss has told his troops to forget about the beach - or they will face a hiding at Portman Road in the final game of the regular league season.

Coleman is convinced Roy Keane's first game in charge at Portman Road will turn a nothing game into a seething maelstrom of fired-up emotions.

He said: “Ipswich will want to go to war with us but we want to go to war with them.

“Good - that suits me fine. I like it when there is something to play for. There is nothing worse than playing with nothing on a game.”

Like at Ipswich the City boss is already planning for next season and has already told former Blues keeper Andy Marshall he won't be kept on. He knows many Town players will be in the same boat and has warned his players everyone will be out to shine.

He said: “The players will want to impress the new manager and the manager will want to impress his new fans.

“I prefer this sort of game than ones where everyone's eyes will be on the beach.

“The backlash is we could end up getting a hiding and if we don't go about out business the right way then we will. End of story.

“If our lads want to go on holiday after getting a big hiding then that is up to them.

“I want to see us give a performance and get a result.”

Like Town, City have nothing to play for in terms of promotion or relegation but Coleman has welcomed the Roy Keane presence as it gives the game a fresh edge.

More than 25,000 supporters are expected and that will add to the atmosphere and after failing to win any game since March 21, when they beat Doncaster Rovers 1-0, Coleman hopes that can help his side get motivated.

Coleman said: “There will be a big crowd for Roy Keane's first home game and he comes with a big reputation.”

The Sky Blues will be without banned star youngster Danny Fox, who is deadly from set plays, and his place at left-back is likely to be filled by Marcus Hall.

Fox and keeper Kieran Westwood were named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year despite playing for a struggling mid-table side.

On the right side of defence Isaac Osborne is in, while James McPake replaces an injured Elliott Ward.

Leon Best could make a surprise early return from a serious groin injury.