Magnus Hedman is on standby to play his first senior game since February for Coventry City.

The Swedish goalkeeper, who kept his 7th successive clean sheet for his country in their 3-0 win over South Africa in midweek, flew back to hear that Chris Kirkland, the man who took his place at Coventry was in trouble with a knee injury.

Kirkland damaged his knee while training with the England under-21 squad and immediately went into intensive treatment at Coventry’s Sky Blue Lodge training camp.

Manager Gordon Strachan revealed today that Kirkland was struggling to make Sunday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, kick off 6.15 pm.

He said:

“Kirkland has twisted his knee. It is not a big problem but he is struggling to play. If necessary Magnus Hedman will take his place.”

The Swedish No.1 will see it as his big opportunity to establish himself as the first choice keeper at Coventry.

When 20 year old Kirkland took over in February it was generally accepted that Hedman would move on. There were several newspaper stories that he was wanted by Monaco, West Ham United and Everton.

But nothing came of any of it and he will want to play first team football rather than languish in the reserves.

Gordon Strachan will wait as long as possible before naming his side to play against Wolves to allow Kirkland more time to get fit.

He knows he has to make one change from the side that began the season at Stockport County last weekend. Mo Konjic pulled a hamstring muscle in first half of that match and his place is taken by Richard Shaw.

Shaw will start against Wolves alongside his old sparring partner Paul Williams.

Coventry’s likely line up: Hedman, Nilsson, Shaw, Williams, Hall, Thompson, Carsley, Chippo, O’Neill, Hughes, Bothroyd.

Subs from: Quinn, Gavin Strachan, Martinez, Guerero, Zuniga, Antonelius, Hyldgaard (gk).