GARY Deegan plans to show the Blues what they missed when Coventry City visit Portman Road for a Championship fixture tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Elvin King

GARY Deegan plans to show the Blues what they missed when Coventry City visit Portman Road for a Championship fixture tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

The 21-year-old midfielder is in line to make his full Sky Blues debut, having been signed from Irish champions Bohemians.

Like Town keeper Brian Murphy, who also left Bohemians last November, Deegan had his English clearance come through last week and came on as substitute at the weekend.

He revealed how close he came to joining Ipswich last year.

The uncompromising Deegan said: “I nearly went to Ipswich in the summer.

“I thought it was a done deal, but it fell through so I had to get back on the horse and try again.

“There were a few clubs interested and I was asked to come over to Coventry to train for a week or so.

“The manager offered me something so I was very happy.”

Deegan, who like Murphy won back-to-back Irish League titles, is a big admirer of fellow countryman Roy Keane.

“I was a Manchester United fan as a kid,” continued Deegan. “They were always winning.

“I loved Roy Keane and think he's great. He's a player who I resemble a bit myself.

“I have got fire in my belly and if I can achieve half of what he has done I would be happy.

“I'm a box-to-box player and like to get forward to get a few goals as well. “

Coventry manager Chris Coleman does not want to curb Deegan's natural aggression.

“Gary has a good will to win and I don't want to calm him down.

“We wanted to have a look at him but he had one session here and we said, 'let's do it.'

“We'd been watching him and as soon as he became available again we jumped in.”

Deegan and Carl Baker, an attacking midfielder recently signed from Stockport where he was a big hit as a late developer, are waiting in the wings with the influential Sammy Clingan and Aron Gunnarsson doubts through concussion and illness respectively.

Striker Leon Best is a doubt after taking a blow to the top of his thigh, with Town bogey player Clinton Morrison and ex-Southend front man Freddy Eastwood the likely spearhead.

“Sammy had blurred vision in one eye after being cleaned out by big Papa Bouba Diop in our FA Cup game against Portsmouth on Tuesday,” said Coleman.

“It will be a big blow if he's not fit tomorrow because he sits in the middle of the park and dictates for us - it's no coincidence that we've been playing well since he returned from a broken bone in his foot.

“Leon looks as if he could have pulled a muscle at the top of his thigh so we'll have to keep our eye on him as well.”