FA Cup 4th round: Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City - Peter White on a Sky Blue who still dreams of cup glory

VETERAN Coventry City defender Brian Borrows has suffered more FA Cup heartbreak in two games than most professional footballers experience in a lifetime.

But, if he gets the expected vote in the Sky Blues starting line-up against Blackburn Rovers in tomorrow's fourth round tie at Ewood, the battle-hardened Borrows will be keener than any up-and-coming youngster to set the record straight.

It's nearly 10 years since that May day at Wembley when Coventry played in and won their only FA Cup final to date.

Borrows had been a fixture in the team all that season only to suffer the ultimate heartbreak as a knee injury ruled him out of the side which beat Spurs.

When, some 20 months later, City suffered the humiliation of being knocked out in the third round by non-League Sutton, Borrows WAS in the side!

You would think he'd had enough of the competition.

But, now 36, Borrows may sense an opportunity looming to pile up some Cup credit.

Coventry, who haven't got past the fourth round since they lifted the trophy, will be aiming to avenge last month's Premiership thrashing at Ewood when, to compound their problems, Dion Dublin was sent off. And the door to a place in the team has re-opened for Borrows, despite the veteran of more than 500 League games losing out to recent £2.5 million capture from Birmingham Gary Breen.

For Breen is cup-tied and Sky Blues boss Gordon Strachan seems certain to turn to his experienced replacement.

If so, Borrows, who normally plays full back but can and has successfully filled other roles, will take it in his stride.

His "reward" for a starring role in Coventry's last Premiership victory was to be left out for Breen but there were no histrionics from the man who moved to Highfield Road from Bolton in June 1985 for a mere £80,000.

"Of course I was disappointed and the manager knows I was. But you just have to get over it and carry on," he said.

"There is absolutely nothing you can do about it anyway, so once the manager tells you, you just have to work and hope for another chance.

"But you also have to be realistic and when a manager signs a player for £2.5 million and he plays in your position, and all the other men around you cost more than £1 million, you realise that it may happen."

Borrows' realism, however, doesn't prevent him hurting and, if he is in the side at Ewood, he will be out to prove a point.

He played in the replay victory over Woking and clearly believes he still has what it takes to help Coventry, not only in the FA Cup, but also to climb out of relegation trouble. "I have now been involved in every game so far this season whether starting, coming on, or being named in the 16," he said.

"At the beginning of the season I am sure a lot of people didn't expect me to play, but I was confident. I knew I was still fit enough because I had done quite a lot of work in the summer.

"A lot of players rely on their pace and struggle when that starts to go, but that has never been my strongest point anyway.

"I have other aspects to my game and they don't leave you in the same way."

It remains to be seen whether Coventry come to Ewood with a usual three-man central defence, or opt for a back four.

Most teams have changed their normal formations to cope with Rovers' 4-3-3 style and Coventry were all at sea in the League game last month. Either way, Borrows - a member of City's back four that day - will be happy just to play.

"I have felt in the last couple of years that I would be better playing as a central defender, especially in a three, and using my reading of the game," he added.

"If you play as a full back in a 4-4-2 you are expected to go up and down all day and play against the fast wingers that you get in the Premiership and that is not easy at any age."

How Coventry combat Rovers' attack could be the key to the game as they bid to end their Cup jinx.

And Borrows' versatility could be a crucial part of manager Gordon Strachan's planning.

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