Coventry City injury news from CoventryLive as we check up on the three players currently sidelined for the Sky Blues and when they’re hoped to make their returns to full fitness
Frank Lampard has a whole week to work with his Coventry City players following a rigorous schedule of five games in the first 15 days of February. It’s time to take a rest for those Sky Blues who made it through the rigorous run unhurt, with the exception of some leg tiredness.
It’s also an opportunity for players like Ephron Mason-Clark to continue to improve their fitness levels after a gradual return to matches that included minutes off the bench in the past two games after missing seven weeks with a hamstring issue. Haji Wright, who has returned to the grass at Ryton, will be able to continue building up his strength and energy levels, while midfielder Ben Sheaf is expected to recover from a calf problem.
Although Victor Torp is a new injury worry, having missed the weekend’s trip to Hillsborough, Lampard is certain to have his full strength team available in the coming weeks. Here we look at the most recent timetables for the great injured players and their expected comeback.
What was said: “Torpy had a touch of sensation around the top of his ankle, back of his heel after QPR, and we were waiting on it until Friday, but it hadn’t recovered sufficiently. It was still a little unpleasant, but he was not far away. We hope it will not be a long-term ailment and that he will be back by next week.
Haji Wright
Injury: ankle
What’s been said:
Wright has been out for 15 weeks since being injured at Sunderland on November 9, but there is now some light at the end of the tunnel, as the player returned to the pitch at Ryton last week.
“He’s back on the pitch with us, he’s taking part in training and coming out of parts of training to get fitness but he’s been out a relatively long time now so it’s important that we get him right and ready, and firing to come back in,” said Lampard, giving an update on Friday (Feb 14).
“So it’s nice to have him back in the mix, even if he’s only taking part in warm-ups and brief possession sessions. And simply getting to work, it’s a nice feeling to have him back because I appreciate, even though I haven’t worked with him directly, how essential he is and how much we’ve missed him.
“We know the value of a goal scorer, by nature, at the front end of the pitch and we’re adding one back in in the next couple of weeks, so that’s good news.”
Oxford (a) is expected to return on March 1st, with Stoke (h) following on March 8th.
When asked if it will take two or three weeks for the player to regain his fitness, Lampard responded on Friday (Feb 14): “Yeah, there will be that now, but once he’s back, we hope it’s relatively rapid. It’s a matter of getting that next thing perfect to ensure he’s ready to start or be on the bench, whatever.
“And at that time, I believe he will be near. So we’re guessing a little bit, but I’d like to believe – and I’m pushing every day – that it’ll be a couple of weeks before we say, “Okay, let’s really consider Haji, where he is, and come in and contribute.”
Ben Sheaf
Injury: calf
What’s been said:
The Sky Blues midfielder suffered a blow against Carrow Road on January 4, being forced off soon after the hour. Lampard remarked at the time: “Ben’s sadly had a muscle injury against Norwich, so he’ll be out for a few weeks, potentially four to six weeks, which is disappointing given who Ben is as a player. He’s the club’s captain, and it’s been a hectic run of games, so we rely heavily on Ben. It may happen to any athlete at any moment during busy seasons, regrettably, but we will help Ben as much as we can.”
Preston is expected to return, but if not, Oxford.
Lampard stated last Friday (Feb 14): “Sheafy will begin training with us next week, so we’ll see if that makes him available for Preston, or soon after that, we hope.”
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