'Be patient' is the message to Coventry City fans who yesterday called for manager Peter Reid to be sacked.

The under-pressure Sky Blues' boss failed to face the press after large numbers of supporters turned against him ten minutes from time at Highfield Road where the team were trailing 2-0 to his former club Leeds United.

Asked whether Reid was considering his position, assistant Adrian Heath said he didn't think he was but admitted he is a little down about the current situation and reaction from the crowd.

"I don't know why the manager hasn't come, you will have to ask him," said Heath when asked why Reid hadn't appeared.

"The crowd weren't happy but unfortunately it is the way of the modern game. We have been here a few months and what with the restrictions financially, we know we are short of players and we know there are three or four areas we need to strengthen. But if you can't do that then you just have to get on with it."

And when quizzed about his current state of mind, he added: "Anyone who knows Peter will know he normally does see things through, so I wouldn't expect any different from him.

"He is a bit low at the moment and I think he is a little bit frustrated because there are things he would like to do and he is finding it difficult at this moment in time.

"Obviously he doesn't like to hear that sort of reaction from the fans.

"Everyone knows the club's financial situation and while they are trying to get the debt down it is not easy to bring a lot of players to the club."

And Heath asked the fans to give the management time, saying: "You've got to be patient because there isn't an awful lot we can do. We have had a couple of poor performances but if anyone had seen the previous five or six games we could conceivably have won four or five of them considering the way we played.

"The last two home games have been disappointing and I don't think we really got going against Sheffield and against Leeds when I think the supporters were a little bit more frustrated."

Reid's situation is set to get worse with the news that three players have suffered injuries that could keep them out for a number of weeks.

Dele Adebola was forced off at half-time with a groin strain which he fears is a hernia, Eddie Johnson had to come off with a couple of broken toes and full-back Stuart Giddings left the ground on crutches with an ankle injury that requires an X-ray.

"Obviously it is going to be even more difficult come the weekend against Crewe because we don't know who we are going to have avail-able," said Heath.

"Stuart is struggling with a really bad ankle injury which is swollen so we are hoping it is not broken or fractured.

"Dele Adebola has got a bad groin and we think Eddie Johnson has broken a couple of toes so he could be out for a couple of weeks, but we will keep our fingers crossed."