Coventry City will have triple fear heading into Charlton clash - It could affect Ipswich Town match next week | OneFootball

Frank Lampard could have a problem on his hands if three of his Coventry City players don't temper their emotions against Charlton Athletic

Coventry City are facing a triple suspension threat ahead of their clash with Charlton Athletic, which could impact next weekend's crunch trip to Ipswich Town.

The Sky Blues head into this weekend’s clash at home Charlton Athletic on the back of a four-game winning streak and playing some of their best football of the season, having emerged as the Championship's form team this term.

Frank Lampard has found rhythm, balance and a sense of real belief in his side as they set their sights of achieving promotion to the Premier League, which has ever so slightly eluded them in recent years.

However, that momentum and rhythm that they have going for them at this time could be tested in an unexpected way for the runaway league leaders.

Three key players that have been mainstays in Lampard's side so far this season are all one yellow card away from a one-match suspension, putting Coventry in a rather delicate position heading into their game against the Addicks.

For the trio, they will for sure have to manage the game with discipline, and if they do, then Lampard won't have to worry. But lose their composure, and Ipswich Town could face a weakened Sky Blues team in a fixture that could shake things up at the upper end of the Championship table.

Coventry City trio are walking triple tightrope when it comes to pre-Ipswich Town suspension risk

Under the English Football League rules, any player who amasses five yellow cards within their team’s opening 19 Championship matches will have to serve a one-match ban. Liam Kitching, Jay Dasilva and Victor Torp are the three Coventry players who are currently on four yellow cards.

The upcoming match at The CBS Arena is already a demanding one, despite Charlton coming into it off the back of three losses on the bounce. But disciplinary issues add an extra layer of tension that Lampard would've hoped to avoid, especially with a busy schedule on the horizon.

Combining Kitching’s aggression, Dasilva’s overlapping tenacity, and Torp’s energy in midfield, as well as goal threat are all significant parts of Coventry’s style of play that have guided them to being 10 points clear at the top of the Championship, yet all three may need to rein themselves in otherwise they may well be sidelined next weekend.

It is a situation that the players will for sure be well aware of, but temper their emotions too much, and Coventry risk losing some of their usual edge that has been so prevalent this season. Lampard will have to tell his players to provide a balance, as losing any of the three would be a big loss, even if it is just for one game.

Next weekend’s trip to Ipswich Town is shaping up to be one of Coventry’s biggest tests of the season. Especially due to Kieran McKenna’s side being on a terrific run of form themselves, of six games unbeaten.

Despite their sluggish start to the campaign since facing the drop from the Premier League, Ipswich remain one of the division’s strongest, and have fired themselves into contention of an immediate return to the top-flight.

For that matchup, Lampard will want his in-form XI intact, as any disruption to that chemistry, particularly in a marquee away fixture, would be far from ideal. If forced into a reshuffle of personnel, it would hand Ipswich a slight advantage which Coventry can’t afford to hand over to a promotion-chasing rival.

Frank Lampard cannot afford unnecessary Coventry City suspensions heading into tough Ipswich Town fixture

There’s no doubt Coventry have the quality to beat Charlton even while being cautious in certain areas of the pitch, but that’s easier said than done in the heavily contested Championship where anyone can beat anyone.

So far, Coventry have handled almost every challenge thrown at them this season, losing just once in the league, which came against Wrexham. But the next two matches will require a different kind of challenge. Not just physical or tactical, but mental. As the trio of Kitching, Dasilva, and Torp won't be able to dive into silly challenges or needless altercations with their opponents.

If Coventry keep Kitching, Dasilva and Torp available, then they will be able to head into that trip to Portman Road with the same confidence and cohesion they have shown in their opening 17 matches. On the other hand, if they slip up, and a yellow card or two is shown to them, then Lampard could be forced into the kind of changes he desperately wants to avoid.

For a team with genuine promotion and even title ambitions this season, how they handle this Charlton fixture might prove just as important as the result itself.