Coventry City transfer news from CoventryLive as we take a look at the names linked so far with the Sky Blues ahead of the summer window

Coventry City’s recruitment department face the somewhat enviable task of planning for two very different outcomes as the club pushes for a place in the play-offs and the opportunity of gaining promotion via the Championship’s back door.

There’s still a long way to go with five huge games for the Sky Blues to secure a top six finish, which would leave them potentially just three steps away from what would be a remarkable return to top flight football.

The two options – either promotion to the Premier League or another season in the second tier – means head of recruitment Dean Austin will have two working lists on his desk. A sixth season in the Championship would mean modest spending but the opportunity to strengthen the squad to go again next season with another crack at a sustained promotion push.

Success in a Wembley play-off final, however, would see City effectively winning the lottery and shopping in a very different market for players to help compete to stay in England’s top division.

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Rising right-back star

City are in “hot pursuit” of Crystal Palace’s teenager defender Caleb Kporha, according to The Sun ’s transfer specialist, Alan Nixon, who says Frank Lampard wants to sign the 18-year-old right-back who has made four tentative cameo appearances for the Eagles, two in the Premier League and one each in the FA Cup and League Cup, while representing Palace Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.

It was looking like Kporha could have been available on a free transfer after failing to agree fresh terms to stay at Palace last month but recent negotiations have borne fruit, with the player this week signing a new long-term deal to keep him at Selhurst Park until 2029.

That doesn’t mean that City can’t still go after the Ghanaian, who might well be a loan option. Failing that he’d clearly cost a few quid if the Sky Blues wanted a permanent deal.

Goalkeeper option

City have also been linked with interest in promising young goalkeeper Kees Sims who is currently at Swedish top flight club Gais.

The 22-year-old is a New Zealand Under-23s international who has played nine Allsvenskan matches for the club based in Sweden’s second largest city, Gothenburg, where he is contracted until 2028, having previously been a regular for third tier side Ljungskile SK.

The Sky Blues are no strangers to the Scandinavian market where they scouted and bought Sweden international Oliver Dovin from Hammarby last summer, and Danish midfeilder Victor Torp from Norwegian side Sarpsborg 15 months ago. And with Dovin out long-term with an ACL injury and expected to miss a large chunk of next season, Lampard will be keen to recruit a third keeper to compete at a senior level.

Swedish outlet Fotbolldirekt.se reports that Coventry are one of several clubs in the English Championship who “want to sign” the 6ft 4ins tall keeper in the summer.

The report says: “The 22-year-old from New Zealand, who also holds a British passport, has had a strong development. Last year he was in the finals and has also done so in all cup matches this year.

“Ahead of the start of this year’s season, FotbollDirekt now has information that he is being followed by a handful of clubs from the English Championship, including Coventry.

“Several are also said to be planning to see the 190-plus tall goalkeeper in place during the spring. Interested clubs are said to be impressed by his aggressive playing style, his feet and quick reflexes.”

City have been linked with interest in what one Championship pundit has described as a “decent option” for Frank Lampard come the summer transfer window.

The Sky Blues are, according to Mail Sport, among a number of clubs “interested” in Rangers’ midfielder Tom Lawrence, who is in the final couple of months of his contract at Ibrox and expected to leave as a free agent in May.