Strachan looks to take more positive attitude

The Coventry manager, Gordon Strachan, is ready to drop some of his big-name players for tonight's Worthington Cup match against Preston in a bid to kick-start his club's season.

The Coventry manager, Gordon Strachan, is ready to drop some of his big-name players for tonight's Worthington Cup match against Preston in a bid to kick-start his club's season.

The Scotsman described Saturday's 3-0 defeat by West Ham at Highfield Road as the worst performance by the Sky Blues during his five years at the club. "The fear of losing has outweighed the excitement of winning," said Strachan.

"I can't understand negative mentality on the pitch. My job now is to pick players with positive attitudes. They may not be the best players but they will be players to do a job.

"I have to have people who play to the system, stick to the system, believe in the system and do it with high energy. We are not at our bubbly best at the moment. To make me feel happier we have to play well against Preston."

Strachan admitted he made an error in recalling David Thompson before he was match fit and confirmed that his young midfielder John Eustace will start the second round, second leg against Preston - Coventry won the first leg 3-1 - and there is expected to be a place for the striker John Aloisi.

Preston received good news yesterday with Steve Basham and Paul McKenna both recovering from knocks after limping off at the weekend against Sheffield Wednesday.

Southampton's manager, Glenn Hoddle, is expected to rest his striker Marian Pahars and midfielders Hassan Kachloul and Jo Tessem against Mansfield. Saints are leading 2-0 from the first leg, and all three players are nursing minor injuries.

Hoddle's decision will please Mansfield's midfielder Wayne Corden, who believes an early goal could set up a chance for a giant-killing victory. He said: "We're 2-0 down but we'll give it our best shot and if we get an early goal it will set us up."

Richard Dunne's whirlwind few days will continue with him turning out for Everton against Bristol Rovers less than 48 hours after the collapse of his £2.75m move to Wimbledon. The Everton manager, Walter Smith, said: "We have bought in a lot of players and in the current climate we felt that it was right to accept the Wimbledon bid. But as far as we are concerned the situation is now no different for Richard to come back into the squad, and he could well play against Rovers."

Everton have got massive injury problems with Alessandro Pistone, Duncan Ferguson, Mark Pembridge and Abel Xavier definitely out while Francis Jeffers and David Weir are doubtful with calf injuries.

Second Division Rovers are unbeaten this season and drew 1-1 at Goodison Park. Their assistant manager, Gary Penrice, said: "They're a good side, and it's always going to be difficult against top sides. We've just gone 10 games unbeaten, so we're capable of winning."

Fulham, who are 1-0 down to the Third Division leaders Chesterfield, are expected to give some first-choice players a night off for the Craven Cottage match. Their player-coach, John Collins, said: "The game gives the manager an opportunity to rest some players while having a look at the other players in the squad."

Sheffield Wednesday may be struggling in the League, but should be able to deal with Oldham at Hillsborough. The Owls have Andy Booth out injured from the weekend, but are 3-1 up from the first leg, and Oldham have something of an injury crisis themselves with up to seven players set to miss the trip.

Sheffield United, 3-0 up against Colchester, should have few problems at Layer Road, while Watford, leading 3-1 from the trip to Notts County, will be at full strength at Vicarage Road. West Ham, 1-0 victors over Walsall, will be without Rio Ferdinand for the return leg at Upton Park. But the England defender is on the way back from his groin injury and hopes to be ready for the weekend game against Bradford.