Tilson keeps focus on Southend

Coventry City travel to Southend United on Friday night with Roots Hall boss Steve Tilson looking to stay focused on his side’s Championship campaign in the midst of rumours linking him with the vacant Norwich and West Brom jobs.

Tilson, who has guided the Shrimpers to two succcessive promotions, told BBC Sport that his aims for this season were quite clear.

‘To stay up, no doubt about it. We are in the bottom two or three in terms of budgets and we’re miles off a lot of clubs.

‘But it’s a wonder what team spirit can do and hopefully we have got enough.’

He added: ‘It’s difficult as we can’t afford the players we may want.

‘We are limited to a certain player – we can’t afford the sort of players West Brom, Norwich, Birmingham, Sunderland can.

‘But I’m pleased with what I’ve got and we haven’t had too many bad performances this year. We’ll keep plugging away and hope to turn the corner.’