Bryan Robson is gambling on new signing Alun Armstrong and skipper David Wetherall to give City's relegation fight a double shot in the arm against Coventry tomorrow.

Robson will throw in striker Armstrong straight away at the beginning of his month's loan and is also set to bring back Wetherall as City's First Division future looks increasingly perilous.

Wetherall has not played since being stretchered off at Watford in October with a knee injury. But providing he has come through training without any setbacks, Wetherall will get the nod to replace the suspended Jason Gavin.

Michael Branch also sits out the game with the Sky Blues on a one-match ban and there are injury doubts over Simon Francis (gashed knee) and goalkeeper Mark Paston (stomach).

Robson was fuming about yesterday's 3-0 loss at Sunderland, City's fifth defeat on the trot. They have not scored in any of them.

The sinking Bantams remain nine points off safety and are now only off the bottom on goal difference after Wimbledon crushed Reading. Robson said: "Since I've been at the club, people have said we've played some good stuff and been unlucky. But that definitely wasn't the case yesterday.

"We had too many players hiding away from the ball and didn't want to pass and receive. That's why you get a performance like that.

"Whether it is our league position I don't know but we showed a bit of nervousness for whatever reason. Our movement was poor and we were very hesitant.

"We had a couple of great chances in the second half to get back in the game but we didn't really deserve that. Sunderland were stronger, wanted the ball a lot more and showed more desire."

City have managed only one clean sheet since Wetherall has been out of the side. That was against Coventry at Highfield Road on Bonfire Night, which finished goalless.

Robson added: "We've got to pick ourselves up for Coventry because it's a massive game for us now. We aren't going to win football games playing like that.

"Most of the experienced lads here have been through relegations and promotions before and you just hope they can handle it well. Dave Wetherall is club captain and that's why if he's back it's going to be a big boost for the other players.

"Alun Armstrong has played in this division on a couple of occasions and got promotion. He's done well in the past at this level and hopefully he can do well for us.

"We haven't scored a goal in the last five games now and obviously it's a problem because it's not as if we haven't been creating chances.

"That's not just down to the strikers, it's been throughout the team."