Nicky Law wants battlers not sulkers in his dressing room.

The City boss believes Nicky Summerbee's performance at Coventry typified the fighting spirit and determination that the team need to pull clear of trouble.

Summerbee was axed by Law after a few disappointing displays and missed the defeat against Wimbledon. But after playing an hour for the reserves, he was recalled to the senior side 48 hours later at Highfield Road and got stuck in as a right wing-back.

Law said: "Nicky Summerbee didn't sulk or whinge when he was left out. He didn't try to do or say anything controversial and be separate from everybody else, he just carried on with life and won his place back. It's not nice being left out, I know that from my playing days. But it's times like that when you look for strong characters.

"You watch to see whether players will carry on as normal rather than sit on their own in the corner. Unfortunately you do get the type that want to be divisive and upset the apple cart because they aren't in the team. But doing that you will not get your place back.

"Players are picked on merit, there is no room for favourites, there can't be. The shirts have to be earned.

"You can't keep asking the fans to get behind the team if the players are not doing the job. I want lads in that team who are busting a gut to be out there.

"Nicky looked tired in the last ten minutes because he'd played the reserve game. But he showed he is a good player and looks so comfortable on the ball."

Law's team - and formation - in midweek caused a few raised eyebrows. As well as switching to three centre-halves at the back, he also brought in Tom Kearney and Frazer McHugh.

And Law, who axed Paul Evans completely, felt both did enough to earn another chance against Walsall in tomorrow's must-win home game.

"Frazer has been exemplary in the reserves and was desperate for his chance. He's worked ever so hard and got his rewards.

"I thought Tom was also excellent in there, working with Frazer behind Dean Windass.

"There are players who want to get in. Paul Reid is another on the periphery who is getting close and I don't think it will be too long before the likes of Danny Ellis and Tom Penford could come in to the reckoning.

"I made the changes on Wednesday and I think that made the difference. We didn't necessarily go for the point but it was vital to get something.

"We asked Andy Gray and Michael Branch to sacrifice their attacking tendencies a bit to stop the full backs and I thought everyone played their part in a great effort."