'Keeper candidates and the League One striker setting the Coventry City benchmark

Six 'keeper candidates

The search is on for a new first choice Coventry City goalkeeper.

In fact, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins is almost certainly on the hunt for two shot stoppers to compete for the No.1 jersey next season after both Lee Burge and Liam O'Brien have been released after coming to the end of their contracts.

Although the manager used the untried Corey Addai as understudy from mid November last season after O'Brien was side-lined with a knee injury, the 21-year-old, who the club have decided to keep for another year after triggering an extension clause to his contract, is yet to play for the first team.

And it seems likely that the club will send him out on loan next season to gain valuable senior experience and further his development.

So who will City turn to this summer to fill such a key position in the team?

David Stockdale:

Ask the fans and they'd jump at the chance of getting David Stockdale back at the club after his outstanding two-game cameo earlier this year when he joined on an emergency loan and promptly kept back-to-back clean sheets and, cruciailly, caught the eye with two hugely dominant displays.

A move, however, is unlikely for a number of reasons, not least his high wages at Championship Birmingham City where he remains under contract, albeit out of favour - so much so that he has been forced to train with the club's Under-18s all season.

But the 33-year-old is well known to Robins, having played under him at Rotherham, and is desperate to get regular first team football.

Will Norris:

The 25-year-old is currently third choice at Wolves but highly thought of by manager Nuno Espirito Santos who put him on for a few minutes towards the end of Wanderers' penultimate game of the season at home to Fulham.

However, the former Cambridge United talent, who was signed at Molineux for an undisclosed fee in 2017, has been limited largely to cup games over the last two seasons, including three Checkatrade Trophy U-21 appearances this term.

He clearly needs senior game time to continue his development after making over 80 appearances in League Two with his previous club.

There is an obvious link with the Sky Blues in that City's head of recruitment, Chris Badlan , will know all about Norris from his time at the club, as will new goalkeeping coach Aled Williams who was this week signed as Steve Ogrizovic 's replacement.

A season-long loan is not beyond the realms of possibility, as is a permanent deal for the keeper who has two ahead of him in the pecking order at the now established Premier League club, although it remains to be seen the sort of value Wolves would put on his head with two years left on his current contract.

Jack Bonham:

Another strong contender after being released by Championship Brentford this month.

The 25-year-old, who started his career at Watford, has been farmed out on loan for the last two seasons, the first at Carlisle United where he played 49 games for the League Two club, and then this season when he helped keep Bristol Rovers in League One, making 46 appearances.

The 6ft 4 inch tall keeper played against the Sky Blues twice this term, keeping a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw at the Ricoh Arena and conceding once in the 3-1 Rovers' victory at the Memorial Stadium.

To see the other possibles click here:

He comes highly recommended

Coventry City signing Michael Rose has said a fond farewell to his Scottish club as he prepares to embark on a career south of the border.

The 23-year-old defender has brought an end to a three year spell at Ayr United, whom he helped win the Scottish League One title in 2018, gaining promotion to the Scottish Championship where the club finished fourth this season, making the play-offs.

The Honest Men, however, failed to progress after losiing out to Inverness Caledonian Thistle over a two-legged semi-final.

Centre-half Rose, who signed on a pre-contract agreement with the Sky Blues in January, is a hugely popular figure at Somerset Park where fans are sorry to see him go, but have wished him well as he looks to further his progress at in the English League One with Coventry.

Having played over 100 senior games for United, Rose is expected to compete with Player of the Year Dom Hyam and new signing Kyle McFadzean for a place in City's back four following the departure of centre-back Tom Davies and expected departure of Jordan Willis.

Michael Rose tweeted: "Wish everyone at Ayr United FC all the best for the future. Great memories these last two seasons with a brilliant bunch of boys!"

And here's what the Ayr fans have been saying about one of Mark Robins 's summer recruits:

Hazel Towers said: "Beyond gutted to see you go Michael, you’ve got a massive future ahead of you and I wish you every success, you’ll never be forgotten."

Jordan Cree said: "You’ve been absolute immense the past two seasons and played a big part in all of the success, all the best for the future."

Dave Smith said: "Your patience, development & hard work over last 3 years have been clear to see and you’ve played a big role in Ayr United’s progress in that time. All the best at Coventry."

Ian Green said: "All the best big man .. fully deserved your move and sure you will go from strength to strength. Thanks for the memories."

Dougie Wilson said: "Very best to you Michael. Always welcome back at Somerset. Thanks for your contribution to our team."

Stephen Brown said: "All the best hope to see you back at Ayr one day and in a Scotland strip soon."

Ryan Mclaughlin said: "Best of luck Michael had good time with us wish you all best look out for you at Coventry mate."

Gail Pirie said: "Good luck Michael Rose thank you for the last couple of years and wish you all the success in the world."

Garry Savage said: "Good luck at your new club. Outstanding player for us. It was a pleasure to watch you play for our club."

Scott Aitchison said: "Wishing you every success. You became a stand out player in a good team so I look forward to watching your progress."

John McWhirter said: "Thanks for the memories all the best for the future I’ll need to look out for Your results down south."

Andrew Sawers said: "All the best Michael and it might even encourage me along to the Ricoh next season....with my Ayr shirt on of course!"

Mikey Gilchrist said: "Good luck big man! You’ll smash it down there."

Alasdair Malcolm said: "Wishing you every success in the future champ. It has been a pleasure watching you at Ayr, and look forward to following your progress going forward."

Benchmark for strikers

Mark Robins has revealed the man he sees as setting the ‘benchmark’ for his Coventry City strikers.

The Sky Blues boss is a big admirer of Doncaster Rovers’ centre-forward John Marquis, whom has been on his wish list for some time, having been ready to make a move for the 27-year-old centre-forward in January had funds become available.

Marquis was a real handful when City attempted to spoil the play-off party at the Keepmoat Stadium on the last day of the season, scoring his 25th goal of an impressive campaign for Rovers.

And the former Millwall striker will be doing his level best to turn round a 2-1 deficit when Donny entertain Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off semi-final second leg on Friday night.

Whether Robins makes a move for Marquis this summer remains to be seen, with a number of factors coming into play, not least if Doncaster gain promotion to the Championship.

The No.9, who was described by former boss Darren Ferguson as his “best ever signing,” helped Donny to automatic promotion from League Two in 2017 with 26 goals in 48 appearances.

He managed 15 in 51 games the following year but was back in the 20-plus bracket again this season

With a year left on his current contract, City would need the sell-on cash from Callum Wilson to have any realistic chance of prizing him away.

Either way, Robins is clearly a huge fan of the player whom he’d like his current front men to emulate.

“You expect your strikers to be big, powerful and strong, and look at John Marquis,” he said.

“Our lads have got to look at that because that’s the benchmark for this division, and to get into that top six.

“He worked his socks off all game on his own up front and that’s the work-rate that he’s done all season and what you have to have if you want to be in and around it.”

The closest City have to that style of centre-forward is Amadou Bakayoko , while Max Biamou is hoped to be back and fighting for a place next season after almost a year out with a cruciate knee injury.

       

Visit our Facebook pages for Coventry and Nuneaton or visit our Twitter pages for Coventry and Nuneaton    

Watch our videos on YouTube and see our photos on Instagram    

Find old stories in our online Archives and search for jobs, motors and property, or place an advert or family notice here Sky Blues Sky Blues