STEPHANE Henchoz is set to make a remarkable recovery and continue his defensive partnership with Colin Hendry when Blackburn Rovers face Coventry City at Ewood on Sunday.

The Swiss international managed only half a game at Leicester on Wednesday with manager Roy Hodgson fearing the worst as Henchoz had to be substituted suffering from facial and back injuries.

But the news is much better today and it looks as though Hodgson will be able to go with what is clearly his first-choice pairing in the centre of defence.

The manager welcomed the improvement in Henchoz's condition.

"He should be okay, his back is a little bit sore and a long coach trip back didn't help," said Hodgson.

"But he should be ready for Sunday and that's a very big bonus for us."

If Henchoz had been struggling to make it, Rovers would probably have called on Tore Pedersen for his Premiership debut.

Pedersen played a full 90 minutes for the reserves last night and, even though Hodgson opted to switch Chris Sutton rather than use the Norwegian international at Leicester, it's likely he would have got the go-ahead, if needed, for Sunday's game.

There were no other apparent injury hangovers from Wednesday night, though full back Patrick Valery picked up a knock.

Rovers are likely to select from a similar squad with Marlon Broomes still ruled out of contention by the knee injury he picked up in his debut against Preston. Meanwhile, Hodgson was delighted to see Chris Coleman make his return to serious action last night, when the Welsh international played over an hour for the reserves.

Ironically, it will be one year exactly on Sunday since Coleman ruptured an Achilles tendon playing for Rovers - against Coventry!

It has been a long haul back for the former Crystal Palace man who could be happy with his first appearance.

Coleman received a generous reception from the fans last night and Hodgson said: "I'm pleased for him. He did well and it's a good to see him playing again after a year out of action.

"Now he just needs games, lots of games."

While Rovers have been sweating on their defenders, Coventry have had problems in attack.

Manager Gordon Strachan handed a home debut to 20-year-old striker Andrew Ducros against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

They also used defender Marcus Hall in midfield because of their injuries and gave Sam Shilton, son of former England star Peter, his Premiership bow. Shilton, a 19-year-old midfielder, had played in the League for Plymouth but Wednesday's draw with Palace was his first taste of top-flight football.

"Andrew had a great shot which the goalkeeper made a great save from, while Sam did marvellous for his first time and ran himself into the ground," said England under-21 international Hall.

Sunday's match will be the third Rovers home fixture so far this season to have been screened 'live' by Sky.

Seats will be available from the Ewood ticket office up until kick-off time at 4pm.

Rovers A team are at home to Everton A tomorrow and the kick-off time at Brockhall has been switched to 12 noon. Spectators will be admitted to the training ground from 15 minutes before kick-off.

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