Yahoo News Coventry City notebook: KP edges closer to the World Cup as pre-season continues to take shape
It continues to be all quiet on the Coventry City front as Sky Blues fans eagerly await news on new signings and the launch of next season’s kit.
The Championship club continues to be linked with players amid plenty of reported interest in the likes of Ben Sheaf, but so far Mark Robins has only done one bit of early business as Australian A-League winger Raphael Borges Rodrigues has joined January capture Ephron Mason-Clark ahead of the squad's pre-season return.
The Sky Blues normally report back for duty on July 1 but with the Championship starting a week later than usual this year due to the Euros, City may return a week later. Here we take a look at what’s going on in and around the club.
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Kasey edges closer to World Cup
Kasey Palmer has helped Jamaica take a step closer to World Cup qualification as the Reggae Boyz beat Dominica 3-2 on Sunday evening. The Coventry City playmaker was deployed in his favoured number ten position behind the front two and came through 90 minutes of the game in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Second round at Windsor Park Stadium.
Jamaica remain in second place, below its counterpart Guatemala, in their group E qualification in which Sky Blues teammate Joel Latibeaudiere has missed out due to a calf strain.
EFL publish Sky Blues retained list
Coventry City’s full official retained list has been published by the EFL. There are 29 players on the Sky Blues’ list, eight of which are development players. Mark Robins is a manager who likes to give young players a chance so don’t be surprised to see a number of the Under-21s feature in pre-season, which gets underway in just a few short weeks.
Jamie Allen, Kai Andrews, Luke Bell, Jake Bidwell, Jack Burroughs, Brad Collins, Jay Dasilva, Riccardo Di Trolio, Josh Eccles, Matty Godden, Ryan Howley, Liam Kitching, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ephron Mason-Clark, Isaac Moore, Justin Obikwu, Victor Torp Overgaard, Kasey Palmer, Marco Rus, Kain Ryan, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ben Sheaf, Ellis Simms, Fabio Tavares, Bobby Thomas, Cian Tyler, Milan Van Ewijk, Ben Wilson, Haji Wright.
Under-21s pre-season taking shape
Sky Blues Under-21s pre-season fixtures have been confirmed ahead of the 2024/25 Professional Development League campaign.
John Dempster’s side will begin their preparations with a trip to non-league neighbours Leamington and their Your Co-op Community Stadium.
The newly promoted National League North side will host the Sky Blues on Saturday, July 13, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
A few days later, another fixture on the road will see City’s youngsters take on Chatham Town at the The Bauvill Stadium. The Isthmian League Premier Division side will be the opponents on Tuesday, July 16, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.
Then finally, the third fixture to have been confirmed at this date is a clash against Stratford Town on Saturday, July 27. Dempster’s side will travel to the home of the Southern League Premier Division Central side, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
