Coventry City news from CoventryLive as Frank Lampard names his starting line-up to face the Baggies at the CBS Arena

Frank Lampard has made kept faith with an unchanged Coventry City side to face West Bromwich Albion in front of a sell-out Good Friday crowd at the CBS Arena.

There is one change to the overall matchday squad with the welcome return of former Baggies striker Brandon Thomas-Asante to face his old club in what is a play-off six-pointer between the sixth and seventh placed teams.

Brad Collins continues in goal behind a back four comprising Milan van Ewijk and Jay Dasilva at right and left-back, respectively, and central defensive pairing Joel Latibeaudiere and Liam Kitching as a time when Bobby Thomas sits out his second consecutive game with a calf strain.

READ MORE: Doug King in update on CBS Arena tenancy

The midfield sees skipper Ben Sheaf and Matt Grimes continue together with Jack Rudoni expected to take up a more advanced role with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto on the right wing and Haji Wright operating off the left. That leaves Ellis Simms to lead the line in an expected 4-2-3-1 formation against Tony Mowbray’s men.

City: Brad Collins; Milan van Ewijk, Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Kitching, Jay Dasilva; Ben Sheaf, Matt Grimes, Jack Rudoni; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Ellis Simms, Haji Wright.

Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Luis Binks, Jake Bidwell, Jamie Paterson, Jamie Allen, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Norman Bassette, Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Isaac Moore.

Championship: Jack Rudoni fires Coventry into early lead against West Brom!

Coventry City stadium news from CoventryLive as Sky Blues owner Doug King brings fans up-to-date on negotiations for a new long-term deal to stay at the Mike Ashley-owned CBS Arena

Doug King has provided an update on Coventry City’s efforts to thrash out a deal for a new long-term agreement to stay at the CBS Arena.

The Sky Blues face a race against time to secure a new ten-year contract at the stadium by the end of the season or face being issued with a fine. Club owner King secured a five year extension to continue playing at the stadium owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in April 2023 following cordial but protracted talks for several months, with the sticking point at the time understood to have been over the annual rent.

As a result of the club’s historical stadium issues, the EFL have introduced a new rule to ensure football clubs have secure tenancy agreements in place at stadiums where they don’t own the ground. Therefore, two years down the line from that interim agreement the Sky Blues have just a few weeks to agree a new arrangement.

READ MORE: Doug King speaks out on magnificent statue after Coventry City and CBS Arena ‘complications’

READ MORE: Thomas, Mason-Clark, Thomas-Asante, Eccles – Frank Lampard provides injury update ahead of West Brom

Asked by CoventryLive how close the club are to reaching a new agreement, the executive chairman said: “Everyone is aware of the situation. I think things take time, discussions are always happening and it’s obviously always on my mind because I don’t want a fine for the football club. I don’t think anyone wants that.

“But look, we’re commercial parties. This is not a charitable situation. We’re both commercial entities and we have to reach agreements to work for both parties.”

Asked if the long-term aim is still to bring the football club and the stadium together under one ownership, King – who attempted to buy the stadium which was acquired by Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group when he first appeared on the scene – said: “Yes, I think so. If you recall back in November 2022 we tried to do that so look, it should never have been moved away long-term from the football club, in my view. Umm, that was a mistake.