'I will be in gear for fast opener' FOOTBALL: Westwood expects frantic start to the season against Keane's Ipswich.

Byline: Andy Turner 

IN-FORM Keiren Westwood is getting ready for the Sky Blues' big Championship opener against Ipswich Town which he is fully expecting to be a frantic affair.

But the goalkeeper is ready and raring to go, and after making a handful of impressive saves against Everton at the weekend, is hoping he has still got a few tucked up his sleeve to keep the Tractor Boys at bay.

"It is going to be 100 miles an hour," said the 24-year-old shot stopper. "For the first 20 minutes both teams are going to be right in each other's faces but hopefully we will nick a goal and hopefully the game will die down and we will hopefully pinch it 1-0. "But it is going to be a completely different game to the one against Everton or any of the other friendlies. With Roy Keane as their manager it won't matter to him if they are at home or away and they will be going for it straight from the beginning and we have to match that."

Although there has been a lot of concern about the lack of new signings and small squad at City this summer, the Ireland international says the players can take great confidence from their display against Premier League opposition, proving the team is in relatively fine fettle ahead of their first competitive ga me.

"I am encouraged by the performance against Everton because I thought we battled hard," said the keeper who was voted best in the Championship by his fellow professionals last season.

"We looked a bit knackered towards the end but we dug in and I thought we played some good football at times.

"Obviously it was all about Marcus Hall and it would have been nice to see a few more faces in the crowd, but with the stuff that has been happening at the club recently, and the recession, it is obviously not the ideal time to have a testimonial. But I am made up for him to get his big moment."

And as for his own form, he added: "I was pleased to make a few saves but the big game is on Sunday and hopefully I can save a few good stops for that game. I feel I am doing all right, although I keep getting niggling injuries which are starting to annoy me, but I will be ready for the kick off."

And Westwood revealed the players are reasonably buoyant despite the less than perfect build-up to the season in terms of comings and goings, and injuries which he fears could be a major hindrance if the club don't get a bigger squad this season.

"We had a good couple of days in Scotland when we got the bare squad together and the mood is good considering we are so light on players," he said.

"We bonded quite well and that side of things is looking good. But we are not going to beat about the bush, we do need players and everyone in the dressing room and outside it knows it, but we can't do an-ythinabout what the chairman and Sisu do.

"We just have to make sure that we do our best on the pitch. We are still all right. We have still got some decent players but the squad is at the bare minimum at the minute and if we get a few more injuries or if suspensions start kicking in it throws a massive spanner in the works."

CAPTION(S):

WHEEL HERO... Keiren Westwood in pre-season training at Sky Blue Lodge.