Injuries to Coventry City midfielders **Jack Rudoni** and **Josh Eccles** have left Frank Lampard short of options in the attacking midfield area — a concern that could potentially unsettle the Sky Blues’ impressive rhythm.
Coventry have made a superb start to the **2025/26 Championship season**, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with **19 points from nine games** heading into the October international break. Their attacking form has been electric, netting **27 goals** so far, with **Haji Wright** and **Brandon Thomas-Asante** leading the charge with eight goal contributions apiece. Much of that attacking fluency has been supported by **Victor Torp** and **Jack Rudoni** operating behind the strikers.
However, Rudoni has now missed the last three games through injury. His absence saw **Josh Eccles** step into the role, but the Coventry-born midfielder was forced off early in the month’s clash against Millwall, leaving Lampard to turn to **Ephron Mason-Clark** in the central position. The natural winger filled in well during the **5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday**, though Lampard will be eager to restore balance by playing Mason-Clark in his preferred wide role as soon as possible.
Speaking to *CoventryLive*, Lampard confirmed Rudoni’s injury is more serious than first feared:
“He’s got a calf problem, and it’s going to be weeks. I’m not putting an exact number on it, but it’s definitely weeks, which is a big disappointment for us because of the level of player he is.”
Lampard also explained that Rudoni initially suffered a shoulder knock against Leicester before aggravating his calf injury in training. Meanwhile, Eccles — ever reliable for Coventry — is expected to return after the international break in time for the club’s next fixture at the **CBS Arena against Blackburn Rovers**.
Despite the injury setbacks to Rudoni, Eccles, and long-term absentee **Oliver Dovin**, Coventry still possess the depth and quality to maintain their momentum. The Sky Blues have scored **12 unanswered goals in their last three games**, showing dominance both in attack and defence.
While promotion talk has already begun, Lampard and his players remain cautious. With just **one point separating Coventry and second-placed Middlesbrough**, maintaining their current form — even with key players sidelined — will be crucial to preserving their top-of-the-table status.
Ultimately, the absence of Rudoni and Eccles could test the depth of Lampard’s squad, but if recent performances are anything to go by, Coventry City look well-equipped to handle the challenge.
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