COVENTRY City wideman Leon McKenzie says the Sky Blues will be using the current international break as a chance to make sure everything is in working order before they return to league action next weekend.

City are coming off the back of three straight defeats after back-to-back league losses to Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers and being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Premier League outfit Newcastle United.

But the pacy 30-year-old, who notched up his 100^th career goal on the opening day of this season in a 2-0 win over former club Norwich, says the time away from league action will enable the Sky Blues to get some extra preparation before they take on the Lilywhites on Saturday, September 13.

"It's good to get some days off from the league and we've had a steady start even though we've lost the last couple of games but you're always looking forward to when you get back to preparing and I'm looking forward to preparing for Preston," he said.

"Even though it's the break we're still training hard and getting everything done properly and I'm sure the gaffer has no intention of stopping with his preparation because we all want to make sure things are right.

Sometimes you do need to have a little shut down especially when you lose a couple of games but it will be good for us to come back regenerated and hopefully we can pick up again."

McKenzie also added that while the squad have a good idea of where they would like to finish in the league come May next year, the unpredictability of the Championship made it difficult to make guarantees.

"We've got an idea of where we'd like to finish in the table but with this league you just have to take each game as it comes.

"We've got a good squad in place so all we can do is keep doing the right things and improve every game."

And on his own goalscoring feats, which saw him reach his milestone goalscoring mark last month, McKenzie said he was hoping to add to his tally over the course of the season while taking on the responsibilities of being a wideman.

"I pop up with the odd goal here and there. I've been playing in midfield for the last couple of years so I just adapt to that, maybe contribute a goal, creating chances and just doing whatever it takes to help the team to the best of my ability."