Bayliss faces late fitness test ahead of Sunderland clash

Posted Thursday, September 27, 2018 by PA

Tom Bayliss will be assessed ahead of Coventry’s televised home clash with Sunderland.

Bayliss missed last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers having taken a kick to his ankle in training on the Thursday prior to the game. Boss Mark Robins is confident the midfielder will soon be back in action.

Jodi Jones made a long-awaited return to action this week, playing almost 90 minutes of an Under-23 game against Ipswich after 10 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Jack Grimmer (calf) will not be available until next month, Brandon Mason remains sidelined with a hip flexor problem and Maxime Biamou is a long-term absentee.

Sunderland midfielder Max Power will be available on his return from suspension.

Power was sent off 19 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Oxford on September 1 and has missed league games against Fleetwood, Burton and Rochdale as a result.

Defender Tom Flanagan will hope to retain his place after making a first league start for the Black Cats in last Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Rochdale, although Bryan Oviedo and Adam Matthews are pushing for returns.

However, striker Charlie Wyke is a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from knee ligament damage, while Duncan Watmore is closing in on a return from a similar, if more serious, injury suffered in November last year and Donald Love (ankle) is still out.