THE PROCESS of building a new Sky Blues team capable of pushing for promotion is already well under way.
Tony Mowbray has already pinpointed certain players he wants to bring to the Ricoh Arena.
Observer sports editor Steve Carpenter picks six out of contract players he feels could be possible targets.</b>
Leon Clarke – The former Sky Blues striker may not be a popular choice with supporters after departing the club for rivals Wolves in January 2014, which all but ended any hopes of making the play-offs last season.
But the one thing we do know is that Clarke can score goals. The 30-year-old scored 23 times in just 34 appearances under Steven Pressley and the Birmingham-based striker may be keen to stay close to home.
His record for Wolves is nothing short of awful having scored just three goals in 29 appearances but he certainly knows how to score at League One level.
Paddy McCourt – A free transfer after being released by Brighton, McCourt is skillful midfielder who could cause lots of damage in League One.
The former Celtic player is good with both feet and has plenty of experience having won the Scottish Premier League twice and played 14 times for Norther Ireland.
Former Sky Blues boss Gordon Strachan described McCourt as ‘one of the most gifted footballers he had ever seen’ in an interview earlier this year.
The 31-year-old would seemingly be prepared to drop down into the third tier having briefly joined Notts County on loan last season.
Colin Doyle – There’s no doubt that Lee Burge needs competition for his number one jersey next season and Colin Doyle would be a perfect candidate to provide much-needed experience in-between the sticks.
The 29-year-old is a Republic of Ireland international who has already tasted life with the Sky Blues following a very brief spell with the club on loan back in 2010.
Doyle may wish to remain in the area with his family settled in Birmingham and after being released following 12 years at St Andrews, a move to Coventry could be a perfect fix for both parties.
Gary Madine – Although not hugely prolific for the Sky Blues during a short stint on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, Madine did impress during his second spell at the Ricoh Arena.
His physical presence and ability to link the play between midfield and attack could make him a target for Tony Mowbray.
There is likely to be a lot of competition from other clubs but Madine spoke highly of the Sky Blues at the end of his last spell but a drop back down into League One may not be his desired career move.
Nicky Maynard – Following the departures of Frank Nouble and Simeone Jackson, Mowbray will be looking to bring in a striker to lead the line and Maynard certainly has that goalscoring ability.
Although he may not be keen to drop down to League One, the 28-year-old could certainly make a name for himself with the Sky Blues and has that David McGoldrick feel about him.
Maynard was linked to Huddersfield Town back in January and there’s bound to be plenty of interest in the striker who joined Cardiff from West Ham for £2.5m three years ago.
Simon Church – At just 26 years of age Church is entering the peak of his career and could be just what Mowbray is after.
His strength and power are a perfect combination in League One and although five goals during a two-year spell at Charlton doesn’t necessarily scream out goalscorer, the Welsh international certainly has all the attributes to re-ignite his career at the Ricoh Arena.
