FOOTBALL: NEW signing Farrend Rawson believes he can toughen up the Sky Blues defence and help steer the club out of the League One relegation zone.
The 20-year-old became Russell Slade’s second loan signing after moving to the Ricoh Arena from Derby County until the end of the season.
Rawson impressed during two spells at Rotherham United where he earned a glowing reputation as a tough-tackling centre-back.
And the Nottingham-born defender believes his experience with the Millers will stand him in good stead as he looks to break into Slade’s starting eleven, starting with this Saturday’s clash against Fleetwood Town.
“I am very happy to have signed,” said Rawson. “I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and hopefully I can hit the ground running.
“It’s about coming in here and developing. There is a good set of lads here and hopefully I can add to that and help the team climb up the table.
“I’m committed, I’ll give 100 per cent and I will try my best, it’s all I can say really – you’ll have to see Saturday.
“I can do tough, I can mix it up. I was at Rotherham last season and I had to be tough. At the bottom of the table you have to scrap, I like to do both sides of the game and if they need a tough centre half I can be that.
“It was really valuable experience at Rotherham and I enjoyed it a lot. It added a lot of qualities to me and I can build on that here and hopefully push on and impress the gaffer and my teammates.”
Rawson came through the youth ranks at Derby and has been playing Under-23 football for the Rams this season, but now he is looking forward to testing himself at League One level as he looks to continue his development with the Sky Blues.
He added: “It’s definitely important to be playing senior football. Under-23s football is good but it is a step up to the first team. That is where it is at, and it is where you get graded. Hopefully I can show people what I have got.
“It’s a lot more physical and a lot more demanding and at the end of the day points are on the line. It’s pressure, I enjoy it and I prefer it.”
