Defender sidelined again

Patrick McCarthy will again be missing for Crystal Palace's trip to Coventry as he continues to be troubled by a shoulder injury.

The centre-back has missed the Eagles last three games and now seemed certain to be heading in for surgery sooner rather than later.

Palace boss Neil Warnock has been given the all-clear to play him for the time being as the problem won't get any worse without the operation.

However, Warnock plans to give him another week off before testing him out in a competitive game, leaving Claude Davis and Jose Fonte to fill in the middle in his absence.

Also missing will be Sean Scannell after he picked up a hamstring injury playing for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.