NEIL Cox faces an important test tonight as he prepares to answer a Premiership SOS.

Wanderers' £1.5 million full-back, out of first team action for four months, is on standby for a return at Leeds on Saturday.

But he must first brush up his match fitness in the Reserves, who meet Coventry City at Leigh's Hilton Park (ko 7pm).

Cox was dramatically drafted onto the subs' bench for the Derby game last Sunday, when Colin Todd's playing resources were stretched to the limit by injuries and Mark Fish's unavailability.

He was not required but the manpower situation has deteriorated further with skipper Gudni Bergsson doubtful for the Elland Road trip after picking up an ankle injury and Alan Thompson and Dean Holdsworth ruled out by suspension.

Cox, who pulled a hamstring just before half time in the second game of the season at Coventry on August 23, suffered a similar injury in an attempted comeback in October. Since getting the all-clear to return to match action, he has had just one full reserve team outing.

But Todd, who saw Chris Fairclough make an impressive return against Derby after seven months out with a serious knee injury, has no fears about including the experienced former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa full-back in his plans.

Bergsson has joined Gerry Taggart and Keith Branagan, both with groin injuries, in the Reebok treatment room. All three are considered serious doubts for the Leeds game but left back Mike Whitlow, who missed the Derby game with a virus, is expected to be fit to return against one of his former clubs.

Wanderers Reserves: Jaaskelainen, Cox, Whithead, Coleman, Small, Corrigan, Spooner, Holden, Morrison, Gunnlaugsson, Potter.

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