Exclusive: Coventry City hailed over "bumper" contract development - Frank Lampard will be "over the moon" | OneFootball

Jack Rudoni is set to sign a 'bumper' deal at the CBS Arena amid Premier League interest

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Lee Hendrie has praised Coventry City as they look to tie star man Jack Rudoni down to a new 'bumper' contract at the CBS Arena.

The Sky Blues have been among the Championship's best-performing sides in recent seasons under Mark Robins and Frank Lampard, with Rudoni certainly playing his part in said proceedings following his switch from Huddersfield Town last summer.

City have failed to return to the Premier League since their relegation back in May 2001, but there is a growing sense of optimism and excitement among those in this part of the West Midlands that the current second-tier campaign could be their 'time', with the aforementioned playmaker at the heartbeat of Lampard's attack-minded philosophy.

So far this season, Coventry have been dubbed as the second-tier's 'entertainers' after racking up an eye-catching tally of 15 goals across their five league outings thus far, with 12 of those coming in 5-3 and 7-1 victories over Derby County and Queens Park Rangers.

With there being such a feel-good factor around the CBS at present, echoed by the club's recent purchase of their 20-year home, Lampard and owner, Doug King, are looking to ease any lingering concerns supporters may have regarding Rudoni's long-term future, especially if his remarkable trajectory continues towards the January transfer window.

Ever since his initial move from AFC Wimbledon to Huddersfield in the summer of 2022, the Carshalton-born playmaker has always been 'one to watch' among the cluster of high-potential talents currently and previously plying their trade in the Championship.

As such, it was no surprise that Rudoni remained in the second-tier after the Terriers' relegation, with the Sky Blues parting with a £5m sum to secure his services on a four-year contract last June.

Despite a slow start to the season for his new club as a whole, which led to Lampard taking over the reins from Robins last November, Rudoni's performances continued to gain outside attention, as he ended the season with 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, leading to long-standing interest from Premier League clubs and second-tier promotion hopefuls.

However, the likes of Southampton and Newcastle United were dealt a major blow when the man rated at £15m - as Football League World exclusively revealed - pledged his long-term allegiance to the Sky Blues in the latter stages of the summer window.

Speaking exclusively to FLW, the aforementioned Hendrie has praised City once more as their prized asset is set to sign a new 'bumper' contract, according to talkSPORT.

"I'm a big fan of Jack Rudoni," Hendrie told FLW.

"To get him on a bumper deal ticks the box for himself and the football club.

"Because, come the January window, if he continues to do what he's done last season and this season, there will be clubs looking. There's no doubt.

"I think this ticks the boxes all round. I think Frank will be over the moon that he's still got hold of him.

"He's integral to the team with what he brings, and it will be a massive boost to the football club," the ex-Aston Villa midfielder claimed.

Jack Rudoni developments will certainly boost Coventry City's promotion aims

There is no denying that the 24-year-old has plenty of Premier League potential.

However, his recent stance and developments only boost the chance of Rudoni making it in the top-flight initially with the Sky Blues, who have started as they mean to go on in front of goal, as well as being one of three sides yet to taste defeat in the Championship.

The playmaker has remained instrumental to what the Sky Blues are all about with his all-round game, being the heartbeat of the side from a creative perspective with two goals and one assist so far this season, as well as having immense intensity when pressing to win the ball back high up the pitch.

As Hendrie alluded to, clubs would certainly look to strike a deal in January should his form continue in such a strong vein, and the new deal would definitely help increase and protect his valuation as Lampard looks to retain his services for the entirety of the campaign and in the long run.