City travel to the Pirelli Stadium on Sunday, September 6th and Mowbray hopes the City striker can make an impact....
Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray has backed striker Marcus Tudgay ahead of the trip to Burton Albion on Sunday.
The Sky Blues will play their first ever league game against the Brewers due to Burton's rise through the non-league and Football League system.
With Adam Armstrong and George Thomas away on international duty, the City boss could be dependent on Tudgay to make his first league start of the season.
Mowbray, who started Tudgay in the Capital One Cup defeat to Rochdale, believes the City striker has been 'impressive' so far and says he's a great influence around the club.
The City boss said: "We decided to keep Marcus going here as we had a blank canvas in the summer and we thought he'd make a positive impact this season.
"I would say in the two games he's played, he's been really impressive. Played the full game against Rochdale and scored a great goal, and another one which was ruled out.
"And in the week, came on at half-time against Southend United and made an excellent impact I thought. He showed his experience and lead the team in the forward areas.
"Look, with Marcus at the club, George Thomas is going to be a much better player for that as he'll talk to the young ones and show them how to do it. Also, when he's on the bench, he's not kicking or screaming but encouraging the group.
"Well, if he does play, I hope he gives me something to think and turns in a performance which will make me reevaluate our starting XI."
Burton have enjoyed a great start to life in League One this season, sitting 3rd in the table having secured a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town last time out.
Mowbray is expecting a tough encounter and has praised Burton's start to the 2015/16 season.
He added: "Well, we think we've had a half-decent start but they're ahead of us in the league so they've had an excellent start.
"They're using that confidence they gained last season to lift them this season and they've done really well to adjust to the level so quickly.
"They're a strong looking side with two good wide players and a strong centre-forward, and we know that'll want to impress in front of the cameras.
"Like I've said before though, we need to be confident and try and impose our game on them. It's going to be a difficult game but that's the challenge."