Clinton Morrison has rarely been short of confidence but Coventry's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea tomorrow offers a perfect opportunity to give his self-belief a much-needed boost.

The last time he played against Chelsea was in a Premier League game for Birmingham four years ago and his career has been on a downward spiral since then.

He is still scoring goals - before hitting a barren spell at Christmas - yet they are in the Championship and not the Premier League, where he always saw a man of his talents playing.

Liverpool fans won't be sorry having never forgiven him for taunting Michael Owen after Crystal Palace won a League Cup semi-final tie in 2001 but he is one of the game's characters and can brighten up the big stage.

When he left Birmingham to rejoin Palace in 2005, it was supposed to be a temporary stay outside the top flight and not the permanent switch it now appears. Three frustrating seasons at Palace, which included two defeats in the play-off semi-finals, came to an end when he was released on a free transfer last summer.

The 29-year-old has also seen his international career shudder to a halt, with his last cap for Ireland coming against Cyprus in October 2006. Life at new club Coventry started well with 10 goals between August and the end of December but that goalless run has come at the wrong time with the club struggling to get into play-off contention.

However, the prospect of facing Chelsea in front of the TV cameras is just what the striker needs to prove himself once again.

He said: "It's a massive game and obviously we're going to be playing against world-class players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

"It's a great incentive to face the best players in the world and get the opportunity to test yourself. It is a chance for me to make a bit of a statement - you always want to when you're up against one of the big Premier League teams in cup competitions.

"You want to prove that you can still do it in the Premier League. It's going to be a great atmosphere and I want to impress and do well."

While Morrison clearly hasn't lost any of his ambition, he has acquired a growing maturity to cope with the disappointments the game can offer.

When he was younger he may have struggled to contain his frustration, now fatherhood has brought out a different side. There is nothing he loves more than spending time with his two young boys, Shay and Kian, and it has even rubbed off at Coventry, where he has become a bit of a father figure to the younger players.

Manager Chris Coleman handed him the captaincy when injury sidelined first-choice Scott Dann earlier in the campaign. Morrison, who grew up in south London, admits his home life has given him a different perspective.

He added: "My wife and I have two small boys, they are great fun and have changed my life for the better.

"Some of the things they do often make me wonder if I was like that when I was little.

"So when I am not training or playing football I like to spend as much quality time with the kids as I can, as well as with my mum and my sister."

Obviously, Coventry are heavy underdogs against a Chelsea side rejuvenated under new manager Guus Hiddink but they are no stranger to causing Cup shocks. They knocked Blackburn out in the fifth round and defeated Manchester United in the Carling Cup last season.

Yet with Coventry nine points off the play-offs, you sense Morrison would swap further progress in the Cup for a top-six finish in the Championship.

He said: "The League is our priority first and foremost. We were brilliant against Blackburn and it is the kind of result that can spur you on.

"We want to keep working hard and grinding out results. I'd certainly like to help the club get back to the Premier League where it should be."

Coventry defender Danny Fox is doubtful with a knee injury, while David Bell is cup-tied. Chelsea trio Nicolas Anelka (toe), Michael Essien (knee) and Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring) are unlikely to return but Deco is available after a hamstring problem.