Racing Club Warwick boss aiming to finish with a double

It seems almost certain that Knight will leave Townsend Meadow at the end of the season, with his already strained relationship with the club’s officials further damaged by a two-week suspension following an altercation with midfielder Luke Fuller.

Prospects of a top-half finish in the Midland Combination Premier now seem to have evaporated after a run of form which has seen them win just one of their last seven league fixtures.

However, the carrot of a cup double still looms large, with Racers travelling to the Ricoh Arena tonight for the first of two showpiece finals.

Coventry Alliance side Christ the King stand in the way of Racing Club and their first piece of silverware in seven years and Knight says he is determined to give the club’s long-suffering support something to celebrate.

“We’ve had one eye on the cup for a couple of weeks - ever since we beat Stockton in the semi-final - and we haven’t been the team we were.

“It’s going to be a fantastic occasion and I want the players and fans to make the most of it.

“If we play as we can I’m confident we can win.”

The clash with Kings is the first

part of a cup double-header, with a Les Phillips Challenge Cup final to come against Feckenham at the Bescot Stadium on May 8,

And with tonight being the first taste of playing at a Football League ground for many of his squad, Knight took the unusual step of naming his starting XI and substitutes after training on Tuesday.

“It gives those that are playing an opportunity to get their heads around it and those who are disappointed time to get over it,” he said.

“We’ve got a big squad and some good players.

“But we’ve got another final at the Bescot on May 8 and I’m sure we won’t play the same XI in both games.”

Knight cast his eye over the Premier Division title-challengers last Saturday when they faced The Bell (AEI).

Several players were rested with the Coventry Charity Cup final in mind, but having played alongside Christ the King’s first-team coach at Evesham United, Knight says the team should hold few surprises.

“Myself and Leon Thomas played with Gavin O’Toole at Evesham and he likes to play football at a high tempo.

“He wouldn’t have taken the job unless he could bring in the players he wanted.

“And if the team are anything like the way Gavin used to play, they’ll be tough and have the ability to play.”

Racers warmed up for tonight’s final with a 3-1 home defeat against a lively Bolehall side on Saturday.

Ricardo Richards put Racing Club in front from almost on the goal-line after Anthony Hall’s 14th-minute header had beaten Swifts keeper Thomas McNulty.

However, Bolehall were level four minutes later courtesy of Jamie Abbott, who drilled the ball home from close range after the hosts had failed to deal with a long throw.

An Adrian Neil shove in the box on the stroke of half-time allowed Swifts substitute Conor Fulford to make it 2-1 from the spot and Craig Haywood completed the scoring in the 52nd minute.

On Tuesday night, a Racers side made up predominantly of reserve players lost 2-0 at Coventry Copsewood.

Admission prices for tonight’s Charity Cup final, which kicks off at 7.30pm, are £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.