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CHRIS BIRCHALL is looking to help provide the finishing touches so badly needed at Wolves when Coventry City get back to action against Colchester United tonight.

The summer signing from Port Vale has shouldered some of the blame for the Sky Blues firing blanks at Molineux, but believes he and his team-mates are in good form ahead of their return to the Ricoh Arena.

"It was a really disappointing result at Wolves but everyone went back into the changing room really delighted with the way we played," said the 22-year-old, who is on standby to fill in at right-back if Micky Adams reverts to a 4-4-2 formation.

"Everyone was saying it was one of the best performances of the season, especially in the second half, and it was just unfortunate that we couldn't put our chances away and get the goals.

"The away form hasn't been the best and we felt we had to go out and give the fans something to cheer after the break.

"Going into the game on the back of the win at Southend, the lads were really up for it and we didn't feel we deserved to be a goal down at half-time."

City ended the game with all four of the club's senior strikers on the field but still they couldn't find their way through the Wanderers' defence.

"We played some really good football at times but we were just lacking the finishing touch," added Birchall.

"I admit that the crossing from myself and the over-all finishing in the box was not up to scratch.

"The gaffer said to us that he couldn't have a go at us for our work-rate and effort, but he could for the final cross and final ball.

"So it was just one of those nights."

The Trinidad and Tobago international was in the thick of the action when he was fouled by Jemal Johnson seconds before Wolves scored via an Elliott Ward own goal.

"I went down just expecting to hear the whistle, so it was disappointing when the referee didn't blow because you get fouls for a lot less than that," he said.

"I felt I was dragged back, although maybe I should have cleared it, but you have to accept decisions don't always go your way.

"It happens and, unfortunately for us, it cost is the game."

But looking forward to tonight's game against Championship newcomers Colchester, against whom he lost twice last season while playing for Vale, he said: "I look forward to every game, especially at home at the Ricoh where I love playing my football.

"On paper, we should win, but we said that about Plymouth.

"So we seem to be struggling against some of the smaller clubs but the lads are confident at home.

"And even though we didn't win on Tuesday, we feel we are playing well and are confident we can beat most teams."