Taiwo Awoniyi is available again for Coventry City after serving a three-match suspension, but Frank Lampard must decide whether to restore the Super Eagles striker immediately or retain the forwards who helped his side recover from a difficult start to life in the Premier League, Footynaija.com reports.
Awoniyi was sent off in Coventry’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton on September 13 after catching Maxim De Cuyper in the face with a raised elbow during an aerial challenge. The dismissal earned him a three-match ban for violent conduct, keeping him out of Coventry’s subsequent league fixtures.
His absence coincided with a change in the team’s fortunes. Coventry lost their first four league matches without scoring, but they have since beaten Nottingham Forest 1-0 and Newcastle United 4-1.
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The victories have given Lampard more to consider in attack, particularly after Sidiki Cherif and Ellis Simms both scored against Newcastle. Cherif also won a penalty on his full Premier League debut, giving the young forward a strong case to keep his place.
Lampard explains why Awoniyi remains important
Speaking to reporters on Thursday ahead of Monday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Lampard welcomed the competition for places and confirmed that Awoniyi remains part of his plans.
The Coventry Telegraph reported the manager’s comments as he discussed the options available to him in attack.
“Taiwo has missed his three games, he’s back in, we bought him for a reason,” Lampard said. “I think he was doing pretty well before the red card and missing the games.”
The former England international also stressed the importance of having forwards who can contribute beyond scoring goals, especially in a league where teams need different qualities to cope with their opponents.
“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,” he added.
Awoniyi had yet to score in his four Premier League appearances before the dismissal. Cherif and Simms have given Lampard reasons to maintain his current attacking combination, but Awoniyi’s experience and physical presence offer another option against Tottenham.
