Gordon Strachan has a cunning plan to boost Saints' chances in tonight's FA Youth Cup tie at Coventry - he is staying away.

It would have been the first time he had been back to Highfield Road since being sacked as Sky Blues boss in September.

But Strachan has decided his presence might prove too much of a distraction and take away from the occasion for the youngsters.

He said: "Normally I follow every youth cup game but I just feel it would be better to give this one a miss.

"I have other games to watch and I don't want to give the Coventry lads any incentive to play even harder.

"I used to play football with them in training and I know all their nicknames. If I was there it might fire them up even more.

"I get on great with everyone at Coventry. I still speak to the chairman and I have a lot of friends there, but it is a bit soon to go back."

Strachan though is a huge believer in clubs developing their own youngsters and pushing them through the ranks.

He added: "This may sound strange but you have to give kids a chance to fail. That is not being negative, it just means being fair to them.

"I don't want them to go away and say they did not have a fair chance so, if they are good enough and have the intelligence, then they should move up.

"I don't believe they should automatically stick to their age group. If they are good enough for the reserves then I have no problem playing them there."

That strong policy of developing young talent saw the Sky Blues reach two FA Youth Cup finals during Strachan's time in charge.

The second of those was two years ago when they beat Southampton in the semi-final, drawing 1-1 at Highfield Road before winning the second leg 1-0 at The Dell.

Saints coach Stewart Henderson recalled: "We had a last-minute 'winner' harshly disallowed up there and that might have made the difference so it would be nice to get some revenge.

"Coventry have a very strong youth policy so we know we are in for a tough game tonight but it is one of the highlights of the season for our lads who are desperate to do well."

Saints will field a fairly young side which includes five first-year scholars including hot Aussie striking prospect Jay Lucas.

But Henderson stressed: "They are all in on merit. There are some second-years who are disappointed not to be playing but these boys have earned the right to play."

Coventry are likely to be without four key players. Swedish youth international Richard Spong has a rib injury, left-back Stephen Grant has an achilles problem and goalkeeper Peter Fahlman has dislocated a finger. Giant striker Rory May, the tallest player in the club, has a groin strain.

Saints youth: Williams, Green, Poate, A Davies, Robertson, Byles, Jones, Lucas, Peters, Crowell, Gleeson. Subs: Mills, Fullam, Saunders, Broxton, Poke.