Haji Wright is expected to return to action for Coventry City in the coming weeks, and the prospect of an American comeback will get Sky Blue pulses racing.
The frontman has been out of action for three months due to an ankle injury. His last outing for City was in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland in early November. However, he has been seen returning to the gym in recent days.
Since then, Mark Robins has been replaced in the dugout by Frank Lampard, and last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists have rediscovered their flowing offensive style of play, propelling them up the league table.
FLW’s Cov fan commentator Chris Deez discusses Wright’s return and who will miss out on a spot in the first-team.
Haji Wright prediction made as striker steps up training ahead of Coventry City return
Over the weekend, pictures of Wright at the gym sparked speculation in the Midlands. He is expected to return to action in March, although Lampard cautioned against expecting him to return sooner.
The 26-year-old might be the weapon the Sky Blues need in the end-of-season play-off fight, with only one point separating them from sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion with 13 league games left in the season.
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Lampard has used Brandon Thomas-Asante effectively, with the former Salford City striker netting three goals in four matches, leading to victory over Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, and Swansea City.
Those were the forward’s first goals since October, and with Thomas-Asante’s inconsistency in the last third a recurring issue, Deez is counting down the days before Wright returns.
With 19 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions last season, the former VVV Venlo player can be red-hot when on form. There should be no excuses for not putting him back in the starting lineup when ready and available.
When asked about Lampard’s future plans, the Sky Blues supporter said: “I believe most Cov fans will say the same thing: they are really thrilled to see Haji Wright return and see how he will work under and for Frank Lampard.
“As much as I like Brandon Thomas-Asante, and I’m delighted he had that good little run of form, scoring three goals in six games and adding an assist, Haji Wright is our best out-and-out striker, plain and simple.
| Brandon Thomas-Asante 2024/25 Championship stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 32 |
| Starts | 14 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 2 |
“Last season, he and Ellis Simms worked incredibly well together; it was a great relationship that we haven’t had in a long time.
“Thomas-Asante appears to be returning to the erratic form we saw from him in the first place. He has gone four games without scoring.
“We have played Burnley and Leeds in those four games, so fair enough – Burnley don’t concede goals and Leeds don’t concede many either – but there is something about Thomas-Asante that doesn’t click for me.”
Brandon Thomas-Asante quality questioned after Coventry City stint
Thomas-Asante has not been a prolific goal scorer in the EFL, scoring only 18 goals in 72 league games for West Brom before joining Cov.
This season, he has only scored four goals in 32 league games, frustrating his new audience during a difficult start. However, a recent goal-scoring streak has temporarily alleviated this frustration.
However, as old habits persist, Deez is convinced that Wright’s resurgence will see the 26-year-old banished to the substitutes’ bench, with fans sceptical of their striker’s ability as a top Championship performer.
“He is not the hardest of workers – I used to say that about Ellis Simms, but he has really improved that aspect of his game – but I don’t believe Asante is at the level we require when we are vying for promotion to the Premier League.
“I think he is a good lower-end Championship, top end of League One striker at most.”
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