Coventry City manager Micky Adams last night hailed his players' nerve after being named Championship manager of the month for April.

Adams' team won 11 points out of a possible 18 last month to haul themselves out of the relegation area and secure their Championship status for next season.

The Sky Blues' dramatic upturn in fortunes culminated in the 6-2 annihilation of play- off hopefuls Derby County last Saturday in the final match to be played at Highfield Road.

The team's form has inspired a lot of confidence before the club's summer move to their 32,000-seater Ricoh Arena.

Adams said: "We were in the bottom three but to get ourselves out of it like we have done speaks volumes for the lads - they showed no signs of nerves."

Coventry's thrashing of Derby leaves the Sky Blues 17th in the table before Sunday's final match, at Crewe Alexandra.

Dario Gradi's side are still in trouble, though, after plunging into the bottom three after having failed to win in 20 matches.

However, Adams is determined that Coventry send Crewe down with Rotherham United and Nottingham Forest in order to engender more optimism for next season and ensure safety for Brighton and Hove Albion and Gillingham - two of his former clubs.

He said: "It is important that we try to finish the season in the right manner. I believe the form you pick up at the end of the season you take through the summer and into the next season.

"I can promise the fans of Brighton and Crewe that we will be going to Gresty Road with a fully-fit squad and trying to win the game." n Kevin Muscat has cited family reasons for his decision to quit Millwall and return to Australia.

The 31 - year- old ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers defender is likely to play his final match against Burnley on Sunday before starting a three-year deal with Melbourne Victory. He said: "I have had such a good time at Millwall, but this is a perfect opportunity to take my family home."

Muscat played 199 matches for Wolves from October 1997 and July 2002, scoring 15 goals. He has made 61 appearances for Millwall after joining from Rangers in August 2003 and also played for Crystal Palace.

* Cardiff City owner Sam Hammam has vowed not to quit the cash-struck outfit despite admitting the past year has been the worst in his football career.