Hoddle Linked As Swindon Search

Coventry City face a Swindon Town side on Saturday still above them in League One but reeling from the recent loss of manager Paulo Di Canio and two subsequent poor performances including Tuesday night’s shock loss at home to Bury.

That has led to the Wiltshire side looking to have a new man in place for their trip to the Ricoh Arena with former boss Glenn Hoddle among those linked.

Crawley manager Richie Barker and Paul Tisdale of Exeter City are also among the names mentioned but as of Thursday morning the team is still in the care of caretaker player/manager duo Darren Ward and Tommy Miller.

The game represents a huge opportunity for the Sky Blues to close to within one win of the play-off places if they can, at last, match their away form with similar results on home soil.

City’s own search for a new manager has been rendered less urgent by the impressive way Lee Carsley has taken to the job, guiding his side to three successive 2-0 away wins and with a record spoiled only by the home defeat against Crewe last Saturday.

Carsley will be backed with another loan signing if a suitable player can be found to replace injured striker Stephen Elliott.

***Update 1*** That loan signing has to be made before midnight on Thursday when the failure to file accounts on time will see a transfer embargo placed on the club.

***Update 2*** Swindon’s new manager is former Sky Blues midfielder Kevin MacDonald, a first role in the top job for the ex-Aston Villa coach.