Richard Duffy is ruled out of City's match against Stoke after tearing his thigh muscle.

The on-loan defender is likely to be ruled out for the remainder of the season, meaning Isaac Osbourne is the most obvious candidate to replace him at right-back.

Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman praised the youngster for his displays filling in there for the majority of this season.

"Richard's out for six weeks which is obviously a blow for us. Isaac has been doing a good job for us in that position but he's not a natural right-back and that's why we brought Richard in, because he has more experience playing there.

"But Isaac can certainly do a good job for us there and I'm sure he'll continue to do so."

Coleman will welcome Jay Tabb back into his plans after the industrious midfielder recovered from an illness which ruled him out of the Sky Blues' trip to Watford last weekend.

"Tabby was really ill last Thursday and Friday," said the gaffer. "He came into training on Monday but wasn't really himself but the last three or four days he's been at the level we expect.

"It's good to have him back. We missed him last week because his attitude is infectious."

Liam Lawrence is a major doubt for Stoke with the groin injury he picked up against Crystal Palace on Monday.

Striker Ricardo Fuller could return as the Potters look to end a run of four games without victory, while Leon Cort is fully recovered from his groin strain.