YOUNG defender Cian Harries is hoping to make impress manager Tony Mowbray during pre-season to make a claim for his second first team start when August 6 comes around.
The 19-year-old was handed his senior debut on the final day of the season away at Oldham back in May, where he helped the Sky Blues keeper a clean sheet.
It gave Harris his first taste of first team football and having been away with Mowbray’s squad last week for a pre-season trip in Austria, the Wales Under-21 international is eager to see his name on the team sheet when the Sky Blues face Swindon on the opening game of the season.
“I spoke to the Gaffer at the end of last season and he wants me to kick on from now,” Harris told the club’s official website. “I need to come back ready to give him food for thought going in to this year.
“I was chuffed to make my debut against Oldham and I didn’t really want the season to end there, I could have done with two or three more games.
“You get a taste for it. I was grateful to the Gaffer for the opportunity and proud to make my senior debut.
“I still need to work on my physicality and winning balls in the air, I need to make sure the opposition view me as a dominant centre-half and I am able to stand up to the challenge.”
Harris joined the Sky Blues after being released by Aston Villa at just 14-years of age and has progressed through the Academy to captain the club’s Under-18s and in recent years the Wales Under-19 international has produced a series of impressive displays for the Under-21s too.
He spent most of last season producing impressive displays for the club’s Under-21 side inbetween a short spell at National League side Cheltenham Town.
Harris has been away with the rest of the first team squad for a week-long training camp in Austria and although he admits it was hard work, it was nice to get away from Ryton.
“It’s been quite tough, although there has been a lot of ball related work which takes your mind off the running,” Harris added. “You are focussed on playing with the ball, rather than running from line to line.
“The boys have enjoyed it, the change of scenery and being away from the training ground as well. The climate is different, it’s nice to be in the sun.”
