GUNN WILL BE READY TO FIRE AFTER HIS ENFORCED REST.

Byline: BY ANDY TURNER 

HAVING been virtually ever-present for Coventry City and played in three different positions to date, 19-year-old Aron Gunnarsson concedes that his two-match suspension is a blessing in disguise.

Although disappointed to have racked up 10 yellow cards, the all-action Sky Blues midfielder admits he could do with a rest.

That's a sentiment shared by his manager Chris Coleman, who hopes the Iceland international will return charged up and ready to push on in the last few months of the season.

"Aron is only young and in his first season in the Championship, which is probably the fastest and most physical after the Premier League," said the City boss. "He's played in midfield, centre-back and right-back for us so he's going to get tired, mentally as well as physically and I have had a chat with him about that and he says that he is feeling it a little bit," said Coleman.

"Maybe the two-match suspension will be a chance for him to take his foot off the gas a bit and then hopefully we will get the benefit from that in the final push of the season."

Gunnarsson, who is already a big favourite with the fans at the Ricoh Arena since joining in the summer from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, is hoping to get permission for a bit of winter sun in Tenerife this week before going on international duty ahead of his return to the Sky Blue fold.

He is keen to have recharged his batteries for the club's big FA Cup fifth-round tie against Premier League opposition, with City having been drawn away to the winners of this week's replay between Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.

"I have to relax and get my engine started again when I come back for the Cup," said the long-throw specialist who accepts that yellow cards go with the territory of the positions in which he has been deployed.

"I don't think all the bookings are justified but I am the type of player who never gives up and if I see a player go past and no-one can catch him, then I have to take him down. A few of the cards are deserved but not all of them but I am suspended for two games and that's how it is."

He added: "I play for Iceland on February 11 in a friendly against Liechtenstein and will come back here on the Thursday and travel with Coventry to Sunderland or Blackburn, whoever wins their replay and I will be fit for that.

"I won't play the whole game for my country because it is just a friendly and the manager will understand that, and he likes to use a lot of players anyway.

"I need a break and will maybe have a few days in the sun, maybe Tenerife, because I am out for two weeks and I need to get my energy back.

"I have played more games this season so far than the whole season last year and it is quite hard for a 19-year-old.

"People talk about older players getting tired, but young players without experience don't always know how to relax outside of football.

"I am tired - tired in my head as well, but I will be fit for the Cup game. I am looking forward to playing against another Premier League team because we did well against Newcastle United in the Carling Cup earlier in the season 3-2 after extra time in the second round even though we lost, so we will work hard and try to beat whoever we get in the next round.

"It is going to be a good game for me to show what I can do, although I don't know if I will be playing yet because if the boys do well while I am out, I might not get back in the team.

"If they win two games in a row then there is no automatic place for me.

"I have to work hard for my place back and I want the team to do well while I am away, because I am in this for the team, not for me."

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TIRED: fans favourite Aron Gunnarsson plans a sunshine break