VICTORY at Portman Road today could go a long way to securing Adrian Heath the Coventry City job, even though hot favourite Micky Adams is holding talks with the Sky Blues board.

By Derek Davis

VICTORY at Portman Road today could go a long way to securing Adrian Heath the Coventry City job, even though hot favourite Micky Adams is holding talks with the Sky Blues board.

Peter Reid's No. 2, nicknamed Inchy, remains the caretaker boss today after leading City to a 3-0 FA Cup win over Crewe and he is relying on the same team to repeat the result against Ipswich Town this afternoon.

Much rests on the fitness of left-sided midfielder Neil Wood, who turned his ankle in training on Thursday.

Heath wants to stick with the popular 4-4-2 formation, allowing Gary McSheffrey to remain up front, something Reid was reluctant to do and much criticised for. If Heath has to change then Dele Adebola will get the nod up front.

Dean Leacock will keep his place ahead of the suspended and injured Louis Carey, although the Fulham loan player is also nursing a sore ankle.

Andrew Whing is also available after coming through 90 minutes in the reserves following a hernia operation.

Heath appreciates caution may be called for at Ipswich, but he is tempted to get at the Blues.

He said: “There are two ways of looking at it. Either go more cautious and the longer we are in the game, the more chance we have got of frustrating them, or you go the other way and take them on. But the danger there is you can be two down after 10 minutes and then it is a long game, but we will come up with something.

“We have had a few abject performances over the season and we can't put up with that.

“As long as they play with the same drive and desire as they did at home, and as I have said to the players, they can't stop you running, no matter who you play against.”

Meanwhile, Adie Williams is hoping to get his second result at Portman Road this season.

The centre-back came away with a point when he travelled to Ipswich with Reading earlier in the season, and is looking to get at least the same again with the Sky Blues.

And despite the disruption of Reid's departure, the 33-year-old insists City are going into the game with their tails up.

He said: “The mood in the camp has been good after the Cup win and we are all looking forward to a big game tomorrow.

“Players are paid to play and that's what we are concentrating on. Obviously Inchy is in charge at the moment and we are totally behind him and looking forward to a massive game for the club.

“They don't come much better in the Championship than going to Portman Road where they are top of the league and have one of the best playing surfaces around.

“I have been there once already this season with Reading and we drew 1-1 and I thought we had done enough to win that game.

“They are a fantastic footballing side and have lads like Jim Magilton and Tommy Miller in midfield who pass it around and obviously (Shefki) Kuqi and (Darren) Bent who are scoring goals, so they have got a bit of everything and that's why they are where they are in the division.”