Hall now finds himself likely to be playing for Coventry in Saturday’s home match against Leeds United, when it had seemed he would be making his debut for Wolves against Huddersfield.

Strachan explained:

"My aim was to give Marcus games after his injury. I can’t recall him playing more than three games in a row without injury since I came here.

"Reserve matches are no use to him at this stage of his career. I wanted him to be involved in competitive first team matches and he would have got maybe five of those in his month’s loan at Wolves.

"Now it looks as though he will get those matches here."

Strachan’s squad has been hit by a series of injuries.

"I think it is the biggest personnel crisis since I became manager," said the Scot.

His causes for concern are Paul Telfer (knee) and Noel Whelan (ankle), who have been under treatment for two weeks and Gary Breen and Youssef Chippo who have returned injured from international duty.

Breen, who scored for the Republic of Ireland against Malta yesterday, has a groin strain, while Chippo collected an ankle injury playing for Morocco against Belgium. In addition left back David Burrows is serving the last match of his three-match suspension.

It has thrown Strachan’s team selection into confusion but it has opened the door for Marcus Hall. If Breen’s injury prevents him playing Marc Edworthy is expected to switch across to right back leaving the left back berth for Hall.