Frank Lampard says Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka is fit and available for Coventry City’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
Onyeka missed Coventry’s defeat by Hull City but has recovered in time to be considered for the trip to face Pep Guardiola’s side.
Asked by Coventry Live for an update on the midfielder’s condition, Coventry manager Lampard confirmed the 27-year-old would be available for selection.
“He is available for today.”
Onyeka featured for the full 90 minutes in Coventry’s opening Premier League fixture of the new campaign, when they were beaten 3-0 by reigning champions Arsenal.
His return gives Lampard another option in midfield as Coventry face one of the most difficult assignments in the division. The newly promoted side must now travel to Etihad Stadium to play a Manchester City team that represents a considerably different challenge from the opponents they faced in their previous match.
Lampard accepts Coventry will be underdogs not only against Manchester City, but in many of their fixtures during their first season back in the Premier League. The manager also said his players would need to adjust quickly to the possibility of suffering defeats more regularly than they did during last season’s successful promotion campaign.
“You know the high, high talent level that they have. It will be a big challenge for us, but also a good challenge for us to go and see what we can do there. We’ve worked on all the threats of Manchester City, and we’ve worked on where we feel we can give them problems when at our best.”
Coventry’s opening-day loss to Arsenal was followed by their defeat by Hull City, the match Onyeka missed. Lampard will hope the Nigeria international’s availability can strengthen his team as they attempt to respond against the reigning Premier League champions.
The fixture will also provide Coventry with an early measure of the demands of top-flight football after their promotion success last season. Lampard has warned that the club’s new status means they must deal with a tougher competitive environment, while continuing to identify opportunities to cause problems when they perform at their best.
For Onyeka, the match offers the chance to return to the squad after his absence against Hull City. He remains available for selection as Coventry seek a result at Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.