Coventry City’s striker crisis is worse than it appears.
The Sky Blues currently have first choice front men Matty Godden and Tyler Walker sidelined with injury, and while the latter is due back in the next three to four weeks from a calf strain, Godden could be out until well into March with his recurring foot injury.
Viktor Gyokeres was drafted in on loan last week and made his debut at Reading on Tuesday night, going off after 58 minutes and replaced by a more threatening looking Max Biamou – the pair now battling for position in the starting line-up if Mark Robins continues to play with one striker.
But the City boss, who is looking to move out his only other fit senior centre-forward, Amadou Bakayoko, this month to help balance the books, revealed that fans’ favourite Biamou is carrying a knee injury that will require surgical intervention at some stage.
“Max is working with a torn cartilage and keeping going, so I am juggling that as well,” said the 51-year-old manager, whose side have scored just two goals in their last seven games.
He added: “I would imagine it will need a procedure at some point but he’s going to continue playing as long as it’s not bothering him.
“Hopefully we can get him through to the end of the season, but let’s see.”
Robins reiterated the fact that the club cannot afford to do any further business in the January transfer window and is looking forward to getting Godden and Walker back.
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“We have done as much as we can and once the players that are injured come back we’ll be in decent shape, and hopefully we can accelerate that and get them back as soon as possible,” he said.
Assessing Gyokeres on his first showing for the club, Robins said after the 3-0 defeat at Reading: “He’s done OK. He’s still a bit untidy at times but he worked really hard without any real opportunities.
“There were times when he was running outside the box and outside the width of the penalty area when I want him to stay central.
“Obviously he’s young but he’s willing and wants to work and if he listens and learns he’s got a real chance in the game.”
Pretty isolated at times, Robins explained his rationale behind playing one up front or going with a pair.
“I was asked a question about him being better in a one or a two and we have to do what we have to do in games because sometimes to play with fewer midfield players you are going to get passed around.
“There are games that will suit him in that sense and other games that suit a two. It will be brilliant if we can get Tyler Walker and Matty Godden anywhere near being fit to help us in that sense.
“We have injury issues and are managing the best we can. I’m not making any excuses but we need to get those players back to give us the best possible chance.”