Joe Gelhardt should be top of Coventry City’s three-man transfer shortlist | OneFootball

Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt should be at the top of Coventry City's January transfer shortlist in just over a week's time.

Coventry City are in an incredible position under Frank Lampard to gain promotion to the Premier League, but they will still be looking to make signings in January to get themselves over the line.

The strength of Lampard's side has been in continuity, with only four new first-team signings in the summer. Luke Woolfenden, Miguel Angel Brau, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden have not had particularly significant impacts on the side yet, either.

Carl Rushworth's loan from Brighton has been key so far, with the goalkeeper adding real quality to the Coventry side and playing plenty of minutes as well. However, in other areas, injuries have hit them hard.

The player featuring most in the striker position has changed hands numerous times, with Ellis Simms' good recent form coinciding with Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante suffering knocks and niggles of late.

In general, the forward line has not been settled at all. Jack Rudoni was a key player last season, but injuries have meant a stop-start campaign for the attacking midfielder. It makes the volume of goals all the more impressive for Lampard. Here, we take a look at ways that they can strengthen further in January.

Currently a Hull City player, Joe Gelhardt is one of the league’s most in-form players. He may have been struck down with an injury recently, but the 23-year-old could be available in January.

Leeds recalling Gelhardt to complete a permanent transfer could be something of benefit to both themselves and the buying club. He has 10 goals and two assists in 19 league matches already.

That places him among the top scorers in the division. However, what sets Gelhardt apart is not just his output. He is capable of operating as a striker, wide forward, or in a more withdrawn second-striker role.

That sort of versatility is what Lampard will love when making an attacking addition next month. Leeds would also bring in much-needed cash if they sell after a recall. It could be a win all round but a huge boost to Coventry and their promotion hopes.

2 ? ? Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke is out of contract in January, and he is the sort of experienced player Coventry could look to acquire to bolster their ranks and strengthen their grip on automatic promotion.

Irrespective of outgoings, Cov require some more firepower. Benteke has scored Premier League goals for Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Liverpool. He may well be past his best, but the Championship and a promotion could be the perfect end to a career in English football.

Benteke has been backed to join Coventry already, with the Belgian centre-forward linking up with American outfit DC United most recently prior to his contract ending, where he has spent the last three-and-a-half years playing MLS football.

3 ? ? Amario Cozier-Duberry

If a big-money move for a forward is too much, or if Benteke’s wage demands are too significant, Coventry could instead look for a Premier League loan to improve them.

They have a number of players who can be utilised wide, but Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto are the only out-and-out wingers at the club. Therefore, Amario Cozier-Duberry is an interesting option.

The Bolton Wanderers winger is on loan from Brighton, but he has a recall clause. That could be activated if the Seagulls are minded to try him at a higher level again. The failed Blackburn Rovers loan should not deter him from joining a team like Coventry.

The Sky Blues create chances and attack with numbers, and he would have far more chance to impress and platform himself in the second tier. It could be of benefit for all parties if his rapid 2025/26 development is allowed to continue in the Championship.