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Sky Bet Championship: Coventry return to Ricoh Arena after year-long exile

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Arena Coventry Ltd Chairman Chris Robinson is looking forward to the Sky Blues return to the Ricoh Arena

Coventry City will return to the Ricoh Arena for the first time in over a year as they welcome Gillingham in Friday's Sky Bet League One clash, live on Sky Sports.

Over 20,000 fans are expected to turn out for the club's first appearance at the stadium since they were forced to play elsewhere after a rent dispute with stadium owners Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) in May 2013.

Chris Robinson, chairman of ACL, told Sky Sports News HQ that preparations are well under way for the clubs highly anticipated return.

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"It's going to be a really great evening and a great atmosphere. It just shows how much the club means to Coventry and to the Ricoh Arena," he said.

"It's been a little bit dusty without the fans for the last year but they should find it in pretty good condition on Friday night.

"We had a major event in over the bank holiday weekend where the pitch was covered and the monsoon came and the heavens opened and the rain got underneath the walkways.

"They're a little bit discoloured but it's perfectly playable and everybody is really looking forward to seeing this lovely arena full of supporters in full song."

Watch Coventry v Gillingham on Friday live from the Ricoh Arena on Sky Sports 2 HD - coverage starts at 7:30pm.

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