BLACK CATS CLASH WITH CITY JUST PURR-FECT FOR WILSON

SKY BLUES KEEPER RELISHING PLAY-OFFS SHOWDOWN WITH BOYHOOD CLUB

- By ANDY TURNER

BEN Wilson’s return to Coventry City’s starting line-up couldn’t have been more timely with the goal-keeper set for a double-header showdown with his boyhood club Sunderland.

The County Durham-born player started his professional playing career with the Black Cats but has only ever played at the Stadium of Light once before, and that was as a development player while coming through the youth team ranks in his native North East.

He's been on the bench three times in total on trips with the Sky Blues when he has provided match-day back-up to Marko Marosi, Simon Moore - now on Sunderland’s books ~ and Brad Collins. But, assuming he keeps his place, of course, the 32-year-old is in line to play at the 49,000-capacity stadium next Tuesday when Frank Lampard’s men travel for the second leg of their play-off — semi-final clash.

Wilson made a heroic return between the posts in Saturday's 2-0 victory over fellow North East side Middlesbrough.

Reacting to the prospect of facing the club he supported as a lad and whom his family and friends follow avidly, the City stopper said in his soft North East accent: “I'll take that! Chance to get some northern air into my lungs, so that will be nice. I’m looking forward to it. It’s another game of football.”

The weekend's result secured a fifth place finish for City in what was Wilson’s first game for seven months, largely due to a knee ligament injury that ruled him out of this season's 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light in early November.

Thrown back in after some difficult performances from Brad Collins, he said of the play-off task ahead, which starts with the first leg clash at the CBS Arena tonight: “We have got enough to go and produce something special.