COVENTRY boss Iain Dowie expects his number two Tim Flowers to earn a fantastic reception at Ewood Park when the Sky Blues face Blackburn Rovers in next month's FA Cup third round tie.

Flowers is a favourite among Rovers fans after making over 200 appearances in a six-season stay at Ewood, where he helped the club land the Premier League title in 1995.

The former England international had been Manchester City's goalkeeping coach before being appointed assistant manager to Dowie at the Ricoh Arena earlier this year.

And his alliances will lie with the Championship outfit when the two sides meet in the FA Cup on January 5.

"It will be a very special occasion for Tim Flowers who returns to Ewood Park where he enjoyed so much success as a player," said Dowie "I am sure he will get a warm reception from their supporters, although I know he'll be 100 per cent Sky Blue on the day."

The Sky Blues caused a mammoth upset in England football's other domestic cup competition, the Carling Cup, earlier this season, when they beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Although relishing the prospect of another giant-killing, this time at Ewood Park, Dowie accepts that Coventry could not have pulled a tougher draw.

He added: "It's another test for us. Blackburn have really excelled under Mark Hughes this season and shown that they are capable of beating anyone in the Premier League on their day.

"They have quality throughout their side. They are strong at the back and particularly quick and dangerous up front.

"But we can't think about their game too much and we will have to do what we can to try to win the match."