Ageing Sky Blues stars look like they may have to stay at Highfield Road after their efforts to find a way out of Coventry stumbled.

Colin Hendry had been lining up a loan move back to Scotland to try and salvage his international career.

He was dropped from yesterday’s tie against Australia because of a lack of games, and Scotland boss Craig Brown warned him that he had to get regular football if he is to win his place back.

Aberdeen boss Ebbe Skovdahl showed interest in taking the 34-year-old on loan until the end of the season, seeing him as the ideal experienced player to lead his young team.

But with the Dons feeling the financial pinch at the moment, they have admitted that Hendry’s wages are beyond their means.

Carlton Palmer, who has been outspoken about Coventry City’s poor run of results, has had the path to another managerial position blocked.

He had shown an interest in the Huddersfield position, but was ruled out when the board said they wanted an experienced person to take the reins after Steve Bruce left.