FRANK Lampard has confirmed on-loan Coventry City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth will remain with the Sky Blues beyond the January transfer window.
Rushworth produced a stunning stop in injury time to preserve the points for the Sky Blues against Bristol City last time out.
The Brighton and Hove Albion loanee has recorded eight clean sheets in the Championship this season – more than any other goalkeeper in the division.
And Lampard confirmed Brighton do not have a recall clause in the season-long loan deal which took the 24-year-old to the Coventry Building Society Arena in the summer.
Lampard said: “No [he can’t go back to Brighton in January].
“Him coming in has been a massive plus for us. The save at the end of the Bristol game was a high level save.
“I’m delighted with him, clearly he’s been a great acquisition for us and if we want to have success we need a good goalkeeper.”
Coventry awarded a first professional contract to teenager talent George Shepherd earlier this week.
The 17-year-old reportedly turned down interest from Arsenal and Manchester United to sign a deal with his boyhood club.
And Lampard praised the teenager for adapting so quickly when involved in first team training sessions.
Lampard added: “It was great he brought his extended family, you feel the sense of a family who are very proud of their boy.
“Signing a contract and getting closer to the first team meant such a great deal for them which is a nice story.
“He’s come and trained very well and being exposed to first team training will be a great thing for him because the level goes up.
“He adapted very quickly to that with his first step. Fans love those stories and now he’s in that second phase.
“Now it’s making sure when he trains he’s great, if he gets an opportunity he’s great and if he plays for the under-21s he’s even more great.
“He’s a great kid and we hope he keeps progressing.”
Coventry travel to Southampton on Saturday, December 20 with kick-off at 12.30pm at St Mary’s Stadium.
