Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi can return for selection as the club prepares to travel to London for its Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.
Awoniyi was dismissed by referee Tony Harrington during Coventry’s September 13 league game against Brighton after catching defender Maxim De Cuyper in the face with an elbow while challenging for the ball in the air. The Super Eagles striker subsequently missed matches against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest as he served a suspension for violent conduct.
His availability creates a decision for Lampard ahead of the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The manager must decide whether to bring Awoniyi straight back into the starting side or continue with Sidiki Cherif, who turned in a strong display against Newcastle United last weekend.
Speaking on Thursday before the Tottenham fixture, Lampard said a successful Premier League side needed forwards who could contribute beyond scoring goals while also competing for places.
“To succeed in this division, to remain in it and to develop in it, you need strikers capable of doing the complete job as well as finding the net,” the former Chelsea midfielder said.
“Given the demands of this league, they have to drive each other on, support one another and be ready when needed. That is invaluable. Taiwo has been out for three matches and is now available again. We signed him for a reason, and I felt he was performing well before the red card and the games he missed.”
Coventry have nevertheless improved their results during Awoniyi’s absence, recovering from defeats in each of their opening four Premier League matches to record back-to-back wins.
