It will be another significant occasion for Coventry City goalkeeper Ben Wilson when faces his hometown club Sunderland this weekend.

But it’s a fixture his biggest fan – his mum – can’t bear to attend, while his Black Cats supporting mates have also opted not to make the trip down from the North East after a bitter CBS Arena experience last season when City prospered 2-1.

The 31-year-old Sky Blues stopper started out at the academy at the Stadium of Light and thoroughly enjoys the banter that goes with the fixture.

“Last year was the first ever time I played against them,” he said. “I missed playing in the opening game of the season at the Stadium of Light, which I was really looking forward to, and I was gutted not to play in that game. But I got the chance to play in the home game later in the season and thankfully we got the win and I got to throw it in my mates’ faces.

“I had all my mates down that day and even though they are all Sunderland fans they all sat in the Coventry end and it was hard for them to keep quiet, especially when Sunderland scored late on.”

He added: “I know the rivalry between the two clubs well. Growing up being a Sunderland fan I was in the home end giving all the abuse. But it’s on the other foot now and I’m singing with the Coventry fans, abusing my own. And I enjoy that side of it.”

Asked if his family and friends are coming to this Saturday’s match, he said: “Unfortunately not, no. They would only come if they could get free tickets! You know what Northerners are like. And they couldn’t cope with sitting in the Coventry end again.”

As for his mum, he said: “She can’t cope when we play against other teams, never mind Sunderland. She will be at home doing the ironing and popping in and out of the kitchen every now and again to check Sky Sports News.”