Coventry RFC is to take legal advice after discovering that a player at the centre of a contractual dispute can play for another club.

Ricky Hyslop signed a new deal with the club in August, but has since been registered by rivals Birmingham Solihull.

The Rugby Football Union today told the club that they would have to take legal action to get the dispute solved and to get any compensation determined.

A club spokesman they were taking legal advice next week. In the meantime Hyslop will be allowed to play for Birmingham Solihull despite his contract with Coventry.

Lee Crofts has returned to the side for the Tetley Bitter Cup third round tie against Preston Grasshoppers this Saturday.

He will take up the captain’s role and will be at number eight as the club tries to improve its form after a dismal start to the season.

A thigh injury prevents Julian Horrobin from playing and John Munro comes in on the openside with Mark Ellis switching to six.

Tongan Elisi Vunipola makes his debut with Jason Minshull reverting to the centre.

Simon Frost cannot be considered for the game due to the inclusion of foreign registered players, Mika and Vunipola, while full-back Martyn Davies is back after missing last week's defeat at Orrell.

Martyn Davies, Kurt Johnson, Jason Minshull, Mick Curtis, Andy Smallwood, Elisi Vunipola, Tigger Dawson, Tim Payne, Carl Southwell, Trevor Revan, John Griffiths, Robbie Hurrell, Mark Ellis, John Munro,Lee Crofts (c)