With his tough tackling and snapping, snarling style, Chris Marsden is hardly renowned as one of the gentlemen of the English game.

But if he were not such a gentleman, then he might well have been playing against Saints instead of for them tonight.

Marsden is set to return to the starting line-up for the first time in more than a month as manager Glenn Hoddle aims to put a bit of bite into the centre of midfield.

Yet he almost joined the Sky Blues after a successful loan spell in November 1993.

He recalled: "I had just come back from a cruciate ligament injury and Coventry wanted to see me close-up before buying me.

"I did OK and the fans liked me and I thought it would all go through but Coventry hesitated and I heard they were interested in buying Steven Priestley from Rangers.

"My final game for them was against John Gorman's Swindon and it was live on television which must have done me some good because three or four clubs came in.

"I heard nothing from Coventry so I went to talk to Wolves. I did not sign anything but I shook hands and gave a verbal agreement that I would go there.

"On my way home, Coventry rang me and asked me to sign! But I had already given my word and that was that.

"There was nothing in print so I could easily have changed my mind but I am not the sort to do that. If I have given my word, I would not go back on it.

"It was a good club even then but they now have world-class players like Hadji and Chippo. I enjoyed it there and I would have signed if they had come in sooner.

"Those two months gave me a taste of the Premiership although it took me another five years to get there!"

Marsden though has been something of a bit-part player this season, making just five Premiership starts.

He was unlucky to be left out after the draw at Everton but bounced back strongly at home to Chelsea and away to Sunderland before picking up a back injury.

But tonight he looks set to get the chance to re-establish himself as Hoddle calls on his qualities of leadership and aggression.

After the second-half collapse at Ipswich, Marsden is likely to be charged with the task of sorting out a few players - on both sides.

And he is up for the task knowing the impact this result could have on the festive fixtures - and even the rest of the season.

He added: "This is a big game, the sort of game where traditionally Saints have come through strongly over the years. We must be ready to meet that challenge again.

"We have already lost twice to Coventry this season so we are determined to make it third time lucky.

"We have played some good football but we just need to be a bit more ruthless. This is the time to get stuck in and really battle.

"I have lost count of the number of times we have played well this season but not ended up winning and I would settle for a scrappy Christmas and more points.

"If we can win this one then it will set us up nicely for a run of important games which can determine which way our season will go."