FRANK Lampard hinted he may deploy Haji Wright as a striker this season after the USA international made his return from injury in Coventry City’s final pre-season outing.
Wright played the final 12 minutes of Coventry’s 2-2 draw against Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Lampard admits Wright will need to build up his match fitness before he returns to the side on a regular basis ahead of the club’s Championship opener this weekend.
And the Sky Blues head coach enjoyed Wright’s pre-season cameo through the middle despite goals from strikers Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms against St. Pauli.
Lampard said: “Haji is a big player for us. He came on having progressed really well with his injury.
“He’s really keen, he’s in really good form, very positive and we were pleased to be able to give him some minutes.
“He’s still got a bit of work to do to bridge the gap.
“It puts us in good stead having people of the calibre of Haji back, playing in that central area where I really like him.
“It was an Achilles injury but he’s free of the injury as such. It’s more about the match fitness minutes.”
Coventry finish pre-season with just one win from their six matches – a 2-0 victory against League Two side Bristol Rovers.
However, City ended their run of friendly matches with credible draws against La Liga and Bundesliga opposition in Real Betis and St. Pauli.
And Lampard believes Coventry are ready for the start of the 2025/26 campaign following a tough pre-season schedule.
Lampard added “I enjoyed the overall performance. They’re a strong team, they’re very physical, very organised and difficult to play against on and off the ball.
“We could have scored more goals, we created enough chances to do that. It’s nice to have strikers scoring goals, we’ve been a bit short of that in pre-season.
“That’s the hardest bit of football, the last bit at the top of the pitch, the sharpness and the ability to finish.
“The proper stuff starts next. I hope and think [we’re in good shape]. I’ve tried to give lots of the squad minutes.
“The boys have worked very hard and I can see it now in the physical condition of the players.
“I feel like we’re ready and the squad is ready for when we need that impact early in the season.”
Influential midfielder Jack Rudoni missed Coventry’s final pre-season friendly with a slight calf injury.
However, Lampard expects Rudoni to train as normal in the lead up to the club’s Championship opener.
Lampard said: “Rudoni had a small calf [problem], an awareness in his calf the day before the game.
“It was a simple decision to take him out of what is effectively a friendly game.
“Albeit we would have liked to get him some minutes but we made a decision and we hope he’s fit tot train again soon.”
Coventry begin the Championship season with a home game against Hull City on Saturday, August 9 with kick-off at 12.30pm at the CBS Arena.
