Cov boss hoping to exploit Breeno, Kyle knowledge

Coventry City boss Gary McAllister says he hopes to make the most of what he knows about former City player Gary Breen, when his team run out against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tomorrow afternoon - and says he's also aware of Kevin Kyle's abilities.

Breen spent five and a half years playing for Coventry, leaving them in the summer of 2002 on a free transfer to West Ham.

McAllister told his club's official website today, "We know Gary very well so we’re very much aware of his strengths and equally we know his weaknesses.

"Kevin Kyle is a player whom Eric (Black, Cov's assistant manager) and I know quite well, Eric especially as he worked with him in Scotland. They look to him and look to get the ball forward fairly quickly.

"Mick McCarthy has impressed me. He’s done brilliantly at international level and brought through a lot of cracking youngsters for Ireland and they play a very stylish way and that’s what he’s trying to get at Sunderland.

"He’s a big fan of trying to get the ball down, which is probably opposite to what he was as a player. They had a good result during the week and played very well at Gillingham. They scored early and passed the ball round very well."

And McAllister said that even though the Stadium of Light can sometimes be an intimidating venue for visiting teams, it doesn't worry him.

"It’s a cracking stadium and a great ground to play in - but I’ve also played there when it’s been a difficult ground for the home players. There is such an expectation up at the Stadium of Light so if we can go there and contain them and then hopefully dominate, things can change very quickly."