Coventry City news from CoventryLive as several Sky Blues players face a big couple of months before Frank Lampard has the opportunity to add fresh talent to his squad

It’s little over two months before Coventry City have the opportunity to add to Frank Lampard’s squad for what will be a make or break second half of the season that will determine whether or not the club remains in the Premier League.

There’s a lot of football still to be played before then, of course, and many of the Sky Blues summer signings are still bedding in and getting up to speed.

In some cases, namely Gus Hamer, Yann Gboho and Loum Tchaouna, fans are still waiting for them to make an impact at a time when, interestingly, the head coach continues to rely on his trusted Championship stars from last season – starting eight against Tottenham on Monday night.

That’s testament to the character and quality of last year’s personnel who are clearly determined to step up and prove themselves in the top flight. It also leaves question marks over some of the summer recruitment.

But let’s not write anyone off just yet. It’s still early days and those who joined in the last transfer window have time to make their mark and live up to the fees City paid out for them.

Looking ahead to January it will be interesting to see how much business Lampard gets done. Although historically not a month of multiple signings, the last two mid-term trading posts proved to be extremely productive with the arrivals of pivotal players. Matt Grimes’ switch from Swansea in January 2025 proved to be an inspired bit of business, with the experienced midfielder quickly establishing himself as a key member of the team that helped drive the Sky Blues to the play-offs and then automatic promotion the following season.

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Last January, too, saw vital experience join in Frank Onyeka – The Tank again making an immediate impact in City’s quest for the Championship title and prize of top flight football.

Having made 12 new additions in the summer to the tune of over £120million to improve and complement the heroes who got the club promoted, the New Year will provide the last opportunity for Lampard to strengthen in his bid to keep City in the league. Only time will tell if the current group will be competitive enough for the survival challenge.

The next couple of months will be critical in seeing how the summer recruits progress, whether they’re up to the task in hand or whether Lampard needs to address deficiencies, weaknesses and gaps.

Whatever happens, City are already one senior player over the allotted 25 man squad, with Jake Bidwell the man to miss out. If more players come in, space will need to be found and others will, inevitably, fall by the wayside.

Bidwell has been a terrific servant to the side since joining from Swansea in January 2022 but it appears that his time is up with the Sky Blues. Lampard loves him, has the greatest respect for his character, professionalism and influence in the dressing room but had to have the difficult conversation with the 33-year-old to leave him out of his final 25 following the arrival of winger Yann Gboho late in the transfer window.

Lampard admits that January now provides an opportunity for ‘Bidders’ to move on, either out on loan to see out the final six months of his contract or on a permanent deal, although if others move on and there’s space, he hasn’t ruled out keeping him.

That brings us to fellow defender Luke Woolfenden who, it is widely held, would have moved in the summer had it not been for the fact that he had a knee injury that has seen him miss the entire pre-season and opening fixtures. The 27-year-old has been used sparingly by Lampard since his deadline day arrival just over a year ago, making just 11 league starts and six from the bench.

Rumours were understandably rife that he wanted a move in the last window but his injury put paid to that options which, it would appear, would have suited both the club and player. He’s due back from his injury in the coming weeks and only time will tell whether the former Ipswich centre-back can work his way back in favour before January. However, a move looks the most likely outcome at this stage, bearing in mind that unless there are further injuries or drops in form, chances are going to be few and far between for him given the impressive form of Bobby Thomas and Ethan Pinnock, and back-up option of Stephen Mfuni.

Joel Latibeaudiere is another peripheral defender who has been limited to just a few top flight minutes from the bench against Forest so far and, as such, could seek game time elsewhere come the New Year, especially given that Aurele Amenda is set to return from injury in December.

Elsewhere, Ellis Simms is a player who also sits on the periphery. Linked with interest from relegated Burnley in August, it’s a big couple of months for the powerful centre-forward as far as his City career is concerned.

Limited to one Premier League start and three from the bench so far, the No.9 didn’t even make the bench against Brighton, albeit back involved against Villa in the cup and Forest away before pushing himself back into contention with a goal from the bench against Newcastle.

However, the return of Taiwo Awoniyi from suspension saw him slip back down the striking order at Spurs where he now appears to be third choice behind the former Forest man and Sidiki Cherif. Meanwhile, last year’s leading scorer Haji Wright is due back from a quad strain that’s seen him miss pre-season and the start of the campaign, so much may depend on how he returns.

If the USA international hits the ground running and proves he can step up a level then Simms will, inevitably, slip further down the pecking order. Similarly, if none of the above start scoring then a fresh goal scorer may well be a recruitment priority come January.

And finally, it may be an interesting few months for Josh Eccles who is yet to make his top flight bow for his hometown club. A calf injury has hampered his progress but with intense competition in midfield it remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old will get his chance to show he can cut it in England’s elite division. Failure to do so might result in a conversation about going out on loan.

Whatever happens, there’s certainly room for manoeuvre come January.