Awoniyi back in contention for Coventry's Premier League trip to Tottenham
Taiwo Awoniyi is available for Coventry City's Premier League visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after completing his three-match suspension, manager Frank Lampard has confirmed. The Nigeria international was sent off by referee Tony Harrington during Coventry's meeting with Brighton on September 13.
Awoniyi caught Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper in the face with a raised elbow while challenging for the ball in the air. He subsequently missed three successive matches against Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa after being suspended for violent conduct.
Lampard must now decide whether Awoniyi returns directly to the starting XI at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or whether to retain Sidiki Cherif, who impressed on his full Premier League debut. Cherif won a penalty and scored in that appearance, contributing to Coventry's improved results during Awoniyi's absence.
"Ellis as well, this is what it is there for. It's good competition in a critical area of the pitch," Lampard told reporters.
"If you want to try and do well in this league or stay in this league and progress in this league, you have to be able to have strikers that can do the all-round striker job but also score your goals. You need with the rigours of this league to push each other, back each other and be there, there's nothing better.
Lampard said Awoniyi remained an important part of his plans after missing the club's past three games. Taiwo has missed his three games, he's back in, we bought him for a reason," he said.
"I think he was doing pretty well before the red card and missing the games." Coventry's form has improved significantly since Awoniyi's suspension. They lost each of their opening four Premier League fixtures, but have since responded with consecutive victories.
The return of Awoniyi gives Lampard another option in attack as Coventry prepare to face Tottenham, while Cherif's performance has increased the competition for places in a key area of the team.