Coventry City

Coventry City
Micky Adams has assured Coventry fans that he is not going to stand down as manager over the summer. Reports had suggested that an alleged row between Adams and club chairman Mike McGinnity could lead to the former Leicester boss leaving. But Adams told the club's official website: \"I have not had any cross words with the chairman. \"I'm certainly not looking to move to another football club - as some reports have suggested.\" Adams guided Coventry to Championship safety after joining the club in January when they were languishing in 20th place. And now he is concentrating on building a side that will not be in the same position next season. \"I do not constitute narrowly avoiding relegation as a success for a club of this stature,\" added Adams. \"We achieved our aim of avoiding relegation and now is the time to look ahead and build a side that is capable of competing in this division. \"We will have to improve our playing squad ahead of next season if we are to stand a realistic chance of finishing in a higher position. \"I have met with the chairman to discuss financial matters and I am currently making my decisions on which of our out-of-contract players we will be looking to secure for next season.\"

Coventry opt to release quintet
Coventry boss Micky Adams has released five players and made another four available on free transfers - but offered new deals to a further 10. Veteran keeper Kevin Pressman, Craig Pead, Liam Nicell, Andy Hall and Sean Cooney are all released. Tim Sherwood, Scott Shearer, Graham Barrett and Neil Wood are under contract for next season, but have been told they can leave for free. City are yet to make a decision on injured keeper Richard Brush, 20. However, the Sky Blues have offered new deals or extensions to Stephen Hughes, Gary McSheffrey, Dele Adebola, Andy Morrell, Claus Jorgensen, Isaac Osbourne, Steve Staunton, Richard Shaw, Trevor Benjamin and Craig Reid.

Coventry chief slams FA stadium
Coventry City chairman Mike McGinnity says the Football Association should have built their new national stadium in the Midlands rather than London. The new 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium is scheduled to open in spring 2006, after a number of delays. McGinnity said: "All the infrastructure was already here in the Midlands - we had the airports, the road network and the rail links already in place. "It made more sense to build the national stadium in the Midlands."

McSheffrey not looking to leave
Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey is hopeful of agreeing a new contract despite rumours linking him with a move away from the Sky Blues. "Next season I just want to better myself, score more goals and play more games," the 22-year-old said. "There's plenty still to come. I'd love to stay here, everybody knows that - whatever speculation there is. "But it's up to the chairman, the manager, my representatives and my parents to decide my future."

Defender Pead seals Walsall move
Coventry defender Craig Pead has secured a two-year contract with League One Walsall. The 23-year-old arrived at the Bescot Stadium on loan from Coventry in March and helped the Saddlers enjoy a strong end to the season. "I am delighted to have signed for the club," Pead told the club's website. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the end of the season and wanted to make the move permanent. Hopefully we can maintain our standards."

Adebola agrees new Coventry deal
Dele Adebola has agreed terms on a new two-year contract with Coventry City. The striker, 29, has scored nine goals in 59 appearances for the Sky Blues and enjoyed a good run of form following the arrival of Micky Adams in Janaury. "I'm delighted Dele decided to stay," manager Adams told the club's website. "His form since I joined has shown he's an integral part of the team." Adams has offered 10 existing players contracts and Adebola is the first to agree terms. Adebola says manager Micky Adams played a big part in his decsion to sign a new deal. "Micky has made all the difference. He's brought some characters into the changing room and everyone knows their role," he said. "It would have been a much harder decision to sign if he wasn't in charge and I'm delighted he has signed his contract. "I think a lot of players will follow suit and that can only be good."

Boss Adams seals Coventry future
Coventry boss Micky Adams has pledged his future to the club by signing a new two-year deal with the Sky Blues. Adams guided Coventry to Championship safety after joining in January when they were languishing in 20th place. "A lot was made over the fact I hadn't signed, but it was agreed in principle. There were just a few things I did not agree with," he told the club website. "But that's all been ironed out and I look forward to the next two years. It was never a problem." The ex-Leicester boss agreed a two-and-a-half year deal when he first moved to Highfield Road - but had not previously put pen to paper. Adams urged fans to be patient during the coming weeks with a number of players yet to short out their futures. "Players will obviously look for the best deals they can, but all the players have stressed that they want to stay at the football club," he said. "But you and I know that if they can get a better deal down the road then it will be tough to keep them."

Striker agrees new Coventry deal
Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey has agreed a new three-year deal with the Championship club. The 22-year-old has attracted interest from several other teams but has opted to stay at the club he joined in 1998. "I'm delighted another one of our current squad had agreed to stay with us," manager Micky Adams told the club's official website. "He understands what we are trying to achieve here and I'm delighted that he shares my vision."

Coventry suffer stadium setback
Coventry have revealed their new stadium will not be ready for the start of the new Championship season. The Sky Blues are moving into the 32,500-capacity Ricoh Arena but have asked the Football League if they can play their first three games away. "It is regrettable the Ricoh Arena will not be open in time but we have made back-up plans," chairman Mike McGinnity told the club's official website. The Football League board of directors will decide Coventry's fate on 8 June.

Duffy joins Coventry for season
Portsmouth and Wales defender Richard Duffy has agreed a loan deal with Coventry for the whole of next season. The 19-year-old ex-Swansea City right-back spent a successful three months on loan at the Sky Blues at the end of last season. He made 15 appearances as he helped the club avoid relegation. Duffy joined Pompey from the Swans in January 2004, but has made just one Premiership appearance. He played nine games on loan for Burnley last year.

Adebola signs new Sky Blues deal
Dele Adebola has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with Coventry. The striker, 29, has scored nine goals in 59 appearances for the Sky Blues and enjoyed a good run of form following the arrival of Micky Adams in January. "He's put all these players together and he knows exactly what he wants from us," Adebola told the club website. "I think I've shown what I can do when I'm fully fit, so I'm looking forward to pre-season and getting myself back up there again."

Coventry want League to help out
Coventry are still hoping to play their first three games away next season while their new stadium is completed. Sky Blues chairman Mike McGinnity is confident the Football League will sanction his plan despite turning down Coventry's initial request. The Ricoh Arena will not be ready until 30 August, hence Coventry's request. "There have been two precedents set by other clubs who were allowed to play games away from home because their new stadium was not ready," said McGinnity. "First off was Bolton - although that was a ruling by the Premier League. "And secondly Stoke were allowed to play three games away from home by the Football League in 1997. "If they were allowed to do it, I don't see any reason we can't."

Hughes signs new deal at Coventry
Coventry City skipper Stephen Hughes has signed a new three-year contract with the Sky Blues. The 28-year-old former Arsenal and Everton midfielder, who joined City in July last year, chose to stay on despite interest from other clubs. Coventry chairman Mike McGinnity said: "We signed him at a time when he hadn't enjoyed the best of fortunes but with the knowledge he was a quality player. "He demonstrated that last season and I'm delighted he has signed up." Hughes began his career at Highbury but he lost his way after a big-money move to Everton in 2000. He had a two-year spell at Watford before moving to Charlton, but failed to make a first-team appearance for the Addicks.

Sky Blues have contingency plans
Coventry are still hoping to play their first three games away next season while their new stadium is completed. But chairman Mike McGinnity has two contingency plans in case the Football League do not sanction his proposal. "Our second plan is when the fixtures come out, we negotiate with the team we're due to play at home to see if we can get the fixture switched," he said. "Thirdly, if we have to look for an alternative venue for our home games - we'll put it to a fans' vote." The club recently learned that the new Ricoh Arena will not be ready until 30 August, hence Coventry's request. "There have been two precedents set by other clubs who were allowed to play games away from home because their new stadium was not ready," added McGinnity. "First off was Bolton - although that was a ruling by the Premier League. "And secondly Stoke were allowed to play three games away from home by the Football League in 1997. "If they were allowed to do it, I don't see any reason we can't."

Coventry move interests Partridge
Coventry are leading the race to sign 24-year-old former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder Richie Partidge. Partridge scored four goals in 31 appearances while on loan at Highfield Road between September 2002 and April 2003 after being released by Liverpool. "Coventry, Norwich and Leeds are interested in me and if I had the choice, it would be Coventry," he said. "I really enjoyed it there when I had a season-long loan."

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