Coventry City forward poised for move to Championship rivals

Coventry City are preparing to sanction a permanent transfer for young striker Justin Obikwu, with Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers emerging as the leading destination for the 21-year-old.

The Sky Blues have opted to recall Obikwu from his season-long loan at Lincoln City as they look to secure him a move elsewhere during the current transfer window. Coventry are understood to have agreed a deal in principle with QPR, which would see the forward move to Loftus Road for an initial fee in the region of £500,000.

Justin Obikwu – pictured here during pre-season training at Coventry City’s Ryton training ground last summer – could be heading to QPR(Image: )

Obikwu has spent the first half of the campaign on loan with League One high-flyers Lincoln City, where opportunities have been limited. Despite the Imps pushing near the top of the table, the striker managed just four league starts alongside 13 substitute appearances, scoring three goals in total. With regular minutes proving hard to come by, Coventry have decided that a permanent switch would better serve the player’s development.

According to reports, discussions between Coventry and QPR have progressed positively, with the West London club keen to bolster their attacking options. While personal terms are still to be finalised and other clubs are monitoring the situation, Obikwu is believed to be edging closer to a return to the capital, where he grew up.

QPR currently sit mid-table in the Championship, placed 11th with 39 points, and view Obikwu as a player with long-term potential who could add depth and energy to their forward line. The move would represent a significant step up for the striker, who is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for Coventry City.

Obikwu’s journey in the professional game began after he joined Coventry’s academy as an Under-18 player from non-league outfit Harefield United. He quickly impressed at youth level and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2023, featuring predominantly for the Under-21 side.

To aid his progression, Coventry arranged a pair of loan spells with League Two side Grimsby Town, where Obikwu gained valuable senior experience. Those stints paved the way for his move to Lincoln City last summer, as the Sky Blues hoped regular football in League One would accelerate his development.

Although his time at Lincoln did not result in a consistent starting role, the experience is still viewed positively by Coventry, who believe the forward has benefited from training and competing in a promotion-chasing environment. However, with the player entering a key stage of his career, the club have decided that a permanent transfer now makes sense for all parties.

Despite not breaking into Coventry’s senior squad, Obikwu has already gained international recognition. He has been capped four times by Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the potential that has attracted interest from clubs higher up the English football pyramid.

For Coventry, the deal represents a chance to cash in on a promising academy product while allowing him to continue his development elsewhere. For QPR, it could be a low-risk investment in a young striker with room to grow and experience across multiple levels of the Football League.

As talks continue over personal terms, clarity is expected soon. Should the move be completed, Obikwu will be hoping that a fresh start in West London provides the platform to establish himself in the Championship and take the next step in his career.

Coventry City handed major injury boost before crucial Leicester derby

Frank Lampard has received a timely fitness lift ahead of Coventry City’s high-profile M69 derby against Leicester City, with two influential players returning to contention just in time for Saturday’s showdown at the CBS Arena.

The Sky Blues boss confirmed that both Victor Torp and Brandon Thomas-Asante have resumed full training at Ryton this week, putting them back in the frame for selection as Coventry prepare for one of their most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the season.

Midfielder Torp appears the more likely of the two to feature from the outset. The Dane has only missed the last three matches due to a calf problem and has recovered swiftly, placing him firmly in contention to return to the starting XI. His availability will come as a major boost to Lampard, given Torp’s importance in the middle of the park and his ability to dictate tempo and link play.

Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante and midfielder Victor Torp are both in contention for the weekend’s match against Leicester(Image: )

Thomas-Asante’s situation is slightly different. Coventry’s leading scorer has been sidelined since late November after suffering a hamstring tear, an injury that has kept him out of action for the last ten games. While he is now back training and available for selection, Lampard suggested the forward is more likely to be eased back gradually, potentially beginning with a role from the substitutes’ bench.

Providing an update during his pre-match press conference, Lampard said: “Torpy and Brandon are in contention for tomorrow,” offering encouragement to supporters hoping to see two of the club’s most influential performers involved in the derby encounter.

The return of Thomas-Asante, even in a limited capacity, could prove significant. Coventry have had to adapt their attacking approach in his absence, and having the option of introducing a proven goal threat late in the game could be crucial against strong opposition like Leicester.

Lampard also delivered updates on other members of his squad, including full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden. The defender has been unavailable since picking up an ankle injury in the New Year’s Day fixture at Charlton. While his recovery is progressing positively, Lampard confirmed that the former Villa man remains a couple of weeks away from making his return.

“Yeah, he’s a couple of weeks away but he’s doing well,” Lampard explained, indicating that Kesler-Hayden is on track but will not be rushed back into action.

The only other senior player currently sidelined is goalkeeper Oliver Dovin, who has endured a long road back from a serious cruciate knee injury sustained nearly ten months ago. The Swedish stopper had been targeting a return at some point this month, but Lampard struck a cautious tone when asked about his progress.

“He’s progressing well but I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t got an absolute update on that just in this last week,” Lampard admitted. “I’ve been focussing on other things.”

He added that while Dovin’s rehabilitation is moving in the right direction, the goalkeeper has not yet returned to training with the squad. Lampard stressed that he is keen to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on the player by setting rigid timelines.

“He’s not on the training pitch yet and I don’t want to put any pressure on that timeline,” he said. “We’re hoping he’s available for us this season, but as far as I’m concerned I haven’t got the exact idea of when and I don’t want to commit to something.”

With the derby looming, the potential availability of Torp and Thomas-Asante represents a significant boost for Coventry as they look to rise to the occasion against their East Midlands rivals. While Lampard is likely to manage minutes carefully, particularly with players returning from longer layoffs, the added depth and quality gives him more tactical options for a fixture that could hinge on fine margins.

As anticipation builds ahead of Saturday’s clash, Coventry fans will be encouraged by the sight of key figures edging closer to full fitness, strengthening Lampard’s hand as he prepares his side for one of the most emotionally charged games on the calendar.