Nigel Pearson may be forced to rest his midfield enforcer as Bristol City play host at Ashton Gate for the second time in four days.
After springing a tactical surprise in the 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday, the manager was earning the plaudits for his team selection with the likes of youngster Sam Bell coming in at right wing-back.
Joe Williams' role was one of huge significance as he adopted a sweeper position in front of the centre-backs before dropping in between Timm Klose and Tomas Kalas when Boro had the ball to help quell their attacks and add an extra defensive presence.
It worked down to a tee with City just minutes away from keeping a clean sheet, albeit riding their luck at times, but the manager may be forced into a change when Coventry come to town following his comments after the contest.
Here is how we think the Robins will line up as they look to pick up their fifth consecutive league victory at home.
Goalkeeper and defence
The injury to Max O'Leary enforced a change in goal with club captain Dan Bentley making his first start in 11 matches against Chris Wilder's side.
He had a point to prove and as Nigel Pearson described it after the game, Bentley "stuck his two fingers up at me" following his impressive performance. Not only was his shot-stopping crucial, but he also showed his authority in coming out to claim crosses.
City looked more assured with the 28-year-old back in goal who made his 400th career appearance and there will be no doubt whatsoever that Bentley will be starting once again.
As has been the big debate in recent weeks, it's who plays in front of him that remains the talking point. Against Boro, Pearson made a tactical tweak by opting for a back four while Williams slotted in central defence to make it a back three when the opponents had the ball.
Sam Bell was then deployed in a wing-back role while Jay Dasilva played on the other flank. Timm Klose and Tomas Kalas will start - that's inevitable.
Bell, who played 60 minutes against Boro, did his job without pulling up any trees and he can be expected to start in the same role with Zak Vyner the man to miss out again - although the latter may be taken into consideration assuming Williams won't start.
And that brings the dilemma. Pearson said on Saturday that he is likely not to risk Williams despite his tremendous performance because of his recent injury concerns.
He played 80 gruelling minutes and the manager said in the post-match press conference: "It’s good to have him back and good to have him but you might not see him again on starting on Tuesday night because we have to make sure he’s going to be available for the rest of the season."
It could be a bluff but the likelihood is that the manager will resist the temptation to throw him in from the start with an eye on the tricky test away at Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
That leaves one of three potential options in bringing back Cam Pring, picking Vyner or finally handing Robbie Cundy his first start of the season. The latter was introduced for Williams for the final stages of the game at the weekend.
Either way, whoever he decides to opt for, Pearson will likely play with a similar tactic with the player tasked with sitting in a sweeper role just in front of the defence while sitting back when necessary.
Considering Vyner's recent form and Cundy seemingly still not trusted to start from the off, Pearson may favour Pring after he started on the bench against Boro. The 24-year-old isn't a physically-imposing defender but Coventry aren't a physically-imposing team and perhaps allow City to field one more athletic and nimble defender, alongside Kalas and Klose.
Midfield
Pearson really does have his hands tied for his midfield options at the moment with Andy King and Matty James still sidelined. The latter is expected to make a return by the beginning of next month.
Following the comments made on Williams' fitness, he has little choice but to start both wonderkids Han-Noah Massengo and Alex Scott even if the pair could do with a rest considering the minutes they have played in the last six weeks or so.
To back up my point, the duo have started seven games in four weeks with Scott playing every minute of those bar six when he was substituted in the 84th minute against Preston.
Although neither look as though they are in need of a rest at the moment as they both continue to prove why City have two undeniable top talents on their hands. Coventry may not boast the same quality as Boro but the duo are likely to play similar disciplined roles in man-marking the opponent closest to them.
Scott in particular was given more of a license to get forward which paid dividends for City's second when his driving run forward played a key role in Antoine Semenyo's strike.
They knew with Williams mopping up behind them, they had a trusty lieutenant to fall back on if their defensive line was breached and whoever fills those boots will play an important role in determining how frequently Scott and Massengo can break the lines.
Expect a similar set-up on Tuesday night with Pring the man to switch between a midfield and defensive role.
Attack
For all the praise Andi Weimann and Antoine Semenyo have received recently (and rightly so) it was refreshing to hear Pearson name Chris Martin as an unsung hero for his unselfish role in the side against Boro.
Martin may not have looked much of a goal threat, but he bullied their backline with his aerial threat and defensively was crucial getting himself on the end of their corners on more than one occasion.
Pearson said following the contest: "His ability to make it difficult for their centre backs today, he didn’t have chances himself, but he was a part of a lot of our attacking play." It's that part of his game that continues to benefit his fellow strike partners while he also has the ability to chip in with the odd strike himself.
Now, back to Weimann and Semenyo who officially the Championship's most lethal strike force since the turn of the year. They have 13 goals between them, the Austrian boasting seven of those, and eight assists.
Both were on the scoresheet on Saturday and despite Semenyo having one of his quieter matches, showed his quality in the blink of an eye by taking the ball on his chest and finding the bottom corner.
Pearson has repeated on many an occasion that he will not change his attack and with all three fit and available, it will be a similar attacking lineup with Weimann playing behind the duo in a No10 role.
Nahki Wells will await his opportunity from the bench but can have no complaints about not featuring considering the prolific form his team-mates have been in.
Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Dan Bentley; Tomas Kalas, Timm Klose, Cam Pring; Sam Bell, Alex Scott, Han-Noah Massengo, Jay Dasilva; Andi Weimann; Antoine Semenyo, Chris Martin
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