Tatsuhiro Sakamoto could face key Coventry City issue when he returns: View | OneFootball

Coventry City have been forced to adapt after Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's injury.

Seeing him live in action this season, he is clearly a tricky player who can get the better of full-backs and be an asset in the Championship.

In his first season, he has been able to adapt to the English second tier fairly well and has been a much-needed addition to add more firepower to the attacking following the departures of Viktor Gyokeres and Gus Hamer.

However, he is set to spend the remainder of the campaign on the sidelines and this is a blow for the winger, who would have been keen to play a role in the Sky Blues' push for a top-six place.

But Mark Robins' side have needed to adapt - and they had to quickly in their quest to beat the likes of Hull City and Norwich City to a play-off place.

Coventry have now switched to a 3-4-1-2 system, a formation which is familiar to many of their players.

Previously operating with wingers, the absence of Sakamoto and their lack of natural wing options arguably makes this formation change a good decision.

How Coventry City could thrive in the 3-4-1-2 system for the long term

Plenty of the Sky Blues' defenders could richly benefit from a back three system, especially the wing-backs.

Milan van Ewijk will surely appreciate the chance to have a bit more freedom to go forward - and Josh Eccles could be a great wing-back option if required too.

Jay Dasilva could be just as useful on the other side - and midfielder Ben Sheaf has played in this system plenty of times at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Callum O'Hare can be the main link between midfield and attack when fit - and this is a responsibility he can carry on his shoulders. If he departs, Kasey Palmer could step up.

And up top, Ellis Simms and Haji Wright could be the deadly duo up top that can guide the Sky Blues to promotion.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto could find it hard to force his way back into the starting lineup at Coventry City

If the 3-4-1-2 formation proves to be a real success and Robins keeps it, Sakamoto's game time could be limited when he returns to action next season.

He could potentially play at wing-back, but he's more of an asset when he's driving forward and can take risks, something he probably can't do as much if he is forced to operate in a deeper position.

And the Sky Blues already have options at right wing-back, with Eccles able to do a job there and van Ewijk likely to be Robins' long-term starter there if the Dutchman remains at the CBS Arena for some time.

He may not even get much game time in a 3-4-2-1 system, even though he may be able to operate behind the main striker.

If the Sky Blues are promoted, O'Hare may decide to remain with his current club and if he doesn't, Palmer and Wright could operate behind Simms.

Considering how much of a talent Sakamoto is, he shouldn't have any issues in winning more game time when he returns. But if a back three is retained, he may find it harder to win as many minutes as he wants, and this could be a concern for him as he nurses his injury.