FOOTBALL: COVENTRY kid Ivor Lawton looks to have ended his 16-year relationship with the Sky Blues as he looks to re-build his career away from the Ricoh Arena.
The 21-year-old was handed a short term contract last summer as he continued to recover from a serious knee injury which kept him out of action for almost 12 months.
Under the help and guidance of the club’s medical staff, Lawton worked hard to regain his fitness and fight for his spot in the first team again.
But after this current deal expired on December 31, it is understood that Lawton is now looking at his options away from the Sky Blues after spending a total of 16 years at his hometown club.
Lawton first joined the Sky Blues as a six-year-old after being spotted by a scout while playing for his local team Mount Nod.
The box-to-box midfielder rose through the club’s successful youth academy and his impressive performances for the Under-21s earned him the opportunity train with the first team under former boss Steven Pressley.
When Tony Mowbray joined the Sky Blues as permanent manager in May 2015, he described Lawton has someone who had the potential to become an ‘iconic’ player for Coventry City.
Mowbray said: “The lads might be playing out on the training ground on a blustery day and they might be 2-0 down and the one lad who’s pumping his fists, sleeves rolled up and bawling at everyone to get their finger out is Ivor Lawton.
“He has the potential in his make-up to become almost like an iconic player who the fans can grasp hold of this warrior on the pitch playing in sky blue.
“What you’ll never take away from him is his desire and love for the club.”
Mowbray handed Lawton, who grew up in the Allesley Park area of the city, his first competitive appearance when he came on as a second half substitute in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat at Yeovil Town in the Football League Trophy back in October 2015.
But his career suffered a major setback when he picked up a serious knee injury just days after making his debut.
The young midfielder was given a six-month contract in the summer and after returning to action for the development squad, he had hopes of impressing new manager Russell Slade.
But it is understood that Lawton has decided to look for another club in order to kick-start his career although he will continue to train with the Sky Blues for the foreseeable future.