Coventry City player at ‘Champions League’ level - Frank Lampard says | OneFootball

Jack Rudoni's contributions were key to the Sky Blues' crucial Good Friday victory

Coventry City took a huge step towards sealing their long-awaited Premier League return on Good Friday as they defeated Derby County 3-2 at the CBS Arena.

The two Championship encounters between the Sky Blues and Rams this term have certainly lived up to the billing, with this dramatic Easter encounter following on from a 5-3 win for Frank Lampard's team at Pride Park in August.

After seeing second place change hands between Millwall and Middlesbrough hours beforehand, Coventry didn't have it their own way at all against John Eustace's side who are fighting it out for one of the four play-off places on offer.

However, they were certainly in debt to the performance of star playmaker, Jack Rudoni, as his two goals proved vital in helping City move up to 83 points with just six matches to play.

The creative midfielder was substituted on with 27 minutes of normal time to play as part of a triple change by Lampard with the score locked at 1-1 at the time, before he played his part in a chaotic final quarter of the all-Midlands matchup.

Despite enduring a campaign of mixed fortunes in terms of availability, Rudoni has very rarely put a foot wrong when called upon.

As such, his boss, who knows exactly what it takes to perform at the highest possible level for such a long period of time, believes the 24-year-old has the attributes to follow suit as Coventry close in on the top-flight for the first time in 25 years.

Frank Lampard issues 'Champions League' claim on Jack Rudoni after starring double for Coventry City vs Derby County

After missing Coventry's four previous matches ahead of the international break with a calf issue, Rudoni reminded everyone of his qualities almost instantly, as he slotted a composed finish past Richard O'Donnell five minutes after replacing Josh Eccles.

Although the Rams responded from a setback for the second time in the match when Ben Brereton-Diaz confidently dispatched his second of the match from the penalty spot after a controversial flashpoint involving the Chilean forward and Carl Rushworth, the City ace would seal a monumental three points minutes later as he flicked Milan van Ewijk's inch-perfect cross across the Derby keeper.

Rudoni has now scored seven times and posted a further six assists in just 26 Championship appearances this term, and after he received plenty of Premier League transfer interest last summer, Lampard believes he could even surpass the initial step-up and play in Europe.

"He can play in the Premier League. I just want him to play (there) with us," Lampard told Sky Sports post-match.

"He's definitely got the ability to do that, because he's confident, he's hungry, the ability's there.

"Since we've been in, he's just absolutely flowing," the Sky Blues boss added.

"I'm not trying to take credit for that. I think he's just found a confidence, found a role. He's a special player, and I really believe he can go as far as he wants.

"He looked like dropping in a Premier League player onto the pitch, right?"

"He looked like maybe a Champions League player, the way he's played there today and come on," Lampard claimed.

"I don't want to overcook it because he's got all these things he can improve. But, he's got some ability."

Jack Rudoni's confidence will be sky-high after Frank Lampard's Champions League claim

Confidence is certainly flowing at the CBS now after City's latest victory, which made it seven wins from their last eight Championship games.

Although unlikely, they could potentially secure promotion as early as next weekend if results involving Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town fell the way they needed to, as well as ensuring they defeat both Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday in successive games.

Given his starring role off the bench, you would expect Rudoni to be drafted in from the off against the Tigers, and his individual confidence levels will have only shot up further when listening to the glowing verdict on himself from a man of Lampard's stature in world football.