Emotional Coventry City exit feels likely if Frank Lampard delivers Premier League football | OneFootball

Coventry City will be stuck with a difficult transfer decision on a popular member of Frank Lampard's squad this summer as promotion edges closer.

Coventry City remain on course to win promotion into the Premier League under the watchful eye of Frank Lampard.

The Sky Blues are just eight games away from sealing a long-awaited return to the top-flight, and given the points advantage that they have over their promotion-chasing rivals.

The likes of Haji Wright, Matt Grimes, Carl Rushworth, Milan van Ewijk, and Jack Rudoni are just some of the players that have played a starring role for Lampard's side this season.

Coventry have held top-spot in the Championship for a considerable amount of time this term, and with a hugely impressive run of results, Lampard hasn't made too many tweaks to his starting XI.

That loyalty to players has paid off though, with the Sky Blues edging ever closer to winning promotion. However, that does come with a negative point for some of the members of the Coventry squad that aren't regulars in the team.

With Premier League football on the horizon, it's set to be an interesting summer ahead at Coventry, as Lampard looks to build a squad capable of challenging in the top-flight.

With that building process, it's likely that we'll also see players leave the club, as Lampard looks to make room for new arrivals at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Midfielder potentially heading for the exit door?

One player that has been a fantastic servant to Coventry City over the years is Josh Eccles, with the midfielder making 205 appearances in total for the Sky Blues across an eight-year spell with the first-team.

Eccles came through the club's academy system, and has gone on to be a regular in the Championship with them, establishing himself as a favourite amongst their supporters.

He's contracted with Coventry until the summer of 2028, although it remains to be seen whether he'll feature in Frank Lampard's plans if they're to gain promotion this term.

Eccles has made 28 league appearances in total for the Sky Blues this season, although there have been just 16 starts for the midfielder, who has chipped in with four goals and one assist for the club this term in the second tier.

Would a loan move suit all parties involved better?

Soccer Football - Championship - Queens Park Rangers v Coventry City - Loftus Road, London, Britain - April 2, 2021 Queens Park Rangers' Albert Adomah in action with Coventry City's Josh Eccles Action Images/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publicatio

Eccles is a player that deserves to be playing regularly, especially when he's shown that he can perform to a high standard in the Championship. He's certainly earned the chance to play in the Premier League, but with Lampard not favouring the midfielder on a regular basis this season, it begs the question whether he has a long-term future with Coventry, especially if they're to be promoted.

The likes of Matt Grimes, Brandon Thomas-Asante, and Jack Rudoni are some of the players that have played ahead of Eccles in Lampard's starting XI this season, and given the inconsistency in his minutes this term, it's hard to believe he'll be sticking around with his boyhood club.

Eccles has a reported market value of just over £6 million according to Transfermarkt, it could be difficult for a Championship club to stump up that sort of money up front.

Therefore, it wouldn't be too surprising to see a loan move on the cards for Eccles in the summer, especially with two years still remaining on his contract with Coventry City.

That would then give him and the club time to decide on his future when he enters the final year of his contract, because the Sky Blues could potentially be back in the Championship by then, which would mean that Eccles could be needed on a more regular basis.

Whether it be a temporary or permanent exit for Eccles, it'll be an emotional one for the player and Coventry City fanbase, as he's been a brilliant servant to the club, and has made a notable contribution for them whilst in the Championship in particular.