Coventry City's threadbare squad has been dealt another blow with the news that West Ham United have recalled Stephen Bywater.

This paves the way for Clayton Ince to make his Championship debut for the Sky Blues after his summer arrival from Crewe.

Bywater will be sorely missed, as he has been very impressive for Coventry this season and his departure leaves Ince as Coventry's only senior keeper with 18-yearold Jonathan Tuffey on the bench for Sunday's trip to Leicester.

"We're obviously very disappointed Stephen has been recalled but we have to get on with it," said Sky Blues boss Micky Adams.

"It leaves us very short of cover but it gives a great opportunity to Clayton, who is very experienced."

The 33-year-old Trinidadian's only appearances for Coventry have been in their two Carling Cup fixtures and he will be thrust straight into what is sure to be a tense local derby.

Coventry are precariously balanced one point above the bottom three and with only one win in their last ten Championship outings.

However, their hosts are hardly in rude health either as they have only garnered one win from their last seven games and have accrued just two more points than the Sky Blues.

Extra spice is added to this relegation battle by the fact that Adams is returning to the Walkers Stadium for the first time since he was sacked just over 12 months ago.

This fixture has more sub plots than a Dan Brown novel as James Scowcroft, Lillian Nalis and Matt Heath also return to face their former club as well.

It is sure to be an occasion that will tug on the heartstrings of Heath as the 24-year-old still lives in his home city of Leicester, and he hopes Coventry can glean their first away win on the road this term and allow him to keep a low profile.

"If we win, then the last place you will see me on Sunday night is Leicester," said Heath with a smile.

"It is a local derby and they are struggling at home a bit, so we need to try and take advantage.

"Of course it is just another game and I won't prepare any differently to how I would normally, but I would love to hold the bragging rights over my friends at the final whistle.

"I don't feel as though I have a point to prove to anyone at Leicester, as the time was right for to move on.

"Nevertheless, we need to start winning games and they are low on confidence so if we can start well and maybe get the fans on their back, it will give us a good opportunity to break our away day duck."

And Heath insists the auguries are positive ahead of this clash despite conceding six goals in a week.

A convincing home defeat against Crystal Palace left them battered and bruised and it looked after falling two goals behind at Ipswich on Tuesday it looked as though their nightmare was going to continue.

However, they rode their luck to rescue a point and Heath insists they will head to Leicester in a positive frame of mind despite their lowly position.

"We gave away goals from set-pieces again, which was disappointing, but we showed real belief to fight our way back into it," continued Heath.

"We had a little bit of fortune at times as well and that hasn't happened this season at all.

"It is important that we stem the flow of goals and that is what we are constantly working on.

"Nevertheless, the mood is positive and we are still convinced we won't be involved in a relegation battle and need to be looking towards the top of the table rather then the bottom."