City manager Steven Pressley also believes his side face a tough test against Rotherham tonight...
Coventry City manager Steven Pressley believes Rotherham are one of the 'hardest working sides' in League One ahead of tonight's match at Sixfields.
The Sky Blues will be looking to respond from their heaviest defeat of the season as City lost 5-1 at the weekend to Tranmere Rovers.
Despite the loss, Pressley's side have been in exceptional form this season having only lost four out of the 17 league games so far.
City are just six points off the play-off positions and Pressley believes the return of Conor Thomas will boost the side.
The City boss said: "On reflection, the way Conor (Thomas) goes after a game and presses the ball, I suppose he was missed on Saturday.
"He has been a pivotal player for us this season and the team definitely benefit from his work-rate and his presence in midfield.
"I am a huge supporter of Adam (Barton), I think he is a wonderful football player but at the weekend, he didn't provide us with that intensity which Conor does.
"Conor's work-rate is crucial to the way we play as he is the sort of player who can get a team and push them up the field."
Rotherham have enjoyed a great start to life in League One after achieving automatic promotion from League Two last season.
The Millers' form has slipped recently, with one win in the last seven matches, but Pressley is expecting a tough night.
He added: "We look into every team we play on the lead-up to the fixture and I think Rotherham are one of the hardest working sides I have seen this season.
"They go after the game and they will look to press us high up the pitch so we have to be aware of that.
"It will be a tough test for us and we will have to get to those levels we have come to expect at this football club if we are going to get the right result."