Coventry City

McSheffrey signs Sky Blues deal
Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey has put pen to paper on the new three-year deal he agreed a fortnight ago. The 22-year-old has attracted interest from several other teams but has opted to stay at the club he joined in 1998. "There were just a couple of things to iron out and I'm delighted to have got things sorted," said McSheffrey. "(Sky Blues boss) Micky Adams signing his contract was important to me, because when I found out he hadn't, I admit it put a few doubts in my mind."

Norwich agree Coventry venue swap
Norwich and Coventry have agreed to switch their match on the first day of the Championship season to Carrow Road. The Sky Blues have been drawn to play at home but their new ground will not be ready in time for the 6 August game. However, the change of venue will still need to be agreed by the Football League, who are expected to meet in the next 10 days to discuss the matter. If it is approved, Coventry will instead host Norwich in the return fixture on 26 November.

Sky Blues pair pledge to stay on
Coventry City have been boosted by the news that both Andrew Morrell and Claus Jorgensen have agreed new deals. Striker Morrell, 31, has signed a one-year extension while winger Jorgensen, 29, has agreed to sign his contract when he returns from holiday. Morrell played 38 games last season and Jorgensen was a regular following Micky Adams' arrival as manager. Strikers Gary McSheffrey, Dele Adebola and midfielder Stephen Hughes have all signed extended deals in recent weeks.

Coventry quartet agree new terms
Coventry have been boosted after four more out-of-contract players agreed new terms at Highfield Road. Defender Richard Shaw and striker Trevor Benjamin have both signed new one-year deals. Youngsters Isaac Osbourne and Craig Reid are also set to put pen to paper, following striker Andy Morrell and midfielder Claus Jorgensen. Strikers Gary McSheffrey and Dele Adebola and midfielder Stephen Hughes have all extended their contracts

Sky Blues planning Staunton talks
Coventry boss Micky Adams is planning showdown talks with veteran defender Steve Staunton - who has failed to report for pre-season training. The 36-year-old has been linked with a move to League One side Walsall, who have offered him a player-coach role. Adams said: "I am very disappointed Stan has not turned in and I would like to find out the reason why." "Where do we go from here? That is something I need to speak to the player about before speaking to the press." Meanwhile, the Sky Blues have agreed terms with out-of-contract Crewe keeper Clayton Ince and striker James Scowcroft, who has been released by Leicester, reports BBC WM. Ince, 32, has signed a two-year deal, while Scowcroft, 29, is set to sign a three-year contract, subject to the player passing a medical. City have also taken ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Darryl Powell on trial. Also hoping to earn deals are former QPR goalkeeper Chris Day and defender Paul Watson, who played under Adams at Brighton but was released by the Seagulls this summer.

Staunton heads for Coventry exit
Coventry boss Micky Adams has confirmed that defender Steve Staunton has played his last game for the Sky Blues. Nine of the 10 out-of-contract players at Coventry have agreed new terms but the 36-year-old Irishman failed to turn up to pre-season training. Adams said: "We were disappointed Steve didn't come back to us but these things happen. He's a great professional and we wish him well for the future." Captain Stephen Hughes added: "I'll miss him because he's a fellow moaner."

Benjamin snubs Coventry for Posh
Trevor Benjamin has joined League Two club Peterborough on a three-year contract after rejecting a new deal to stay with Coventry. Benjamin, 26, had agreed a new contract with the Sky Blues and reported for pre-season training. But he stalled on signing and has opted to join Posh - much to the annoyance of Coventry boss Micky Adams. Adams said: "He's been training with us for the last week and he has changed his mind at a very critical time." Benjamin told Peterborough's website: "There were other clubs interested in me and it was a big decision to leave Coventry but that is done and I am raring to go. "Coventry is a great club, they have a brilliant manager and I have got nothing bad to say about them. I just want to sort myself out and games under my belt."

Coventry swoop for defender Heath
Coventry have completed the signing of central defender Matt Heath from Championship rivals Leicester. Heath, 24, has joined the Sky Blues for an undisclosed fee and has penned a two-year contract at the Ricoh Arena. Coventry boss Micky Adams is a big admirer of Heath having coached him when he was Leicester manager. Hull boss Peter Taylor revealed his interest in the Foxes Academy product earlier in the week but the Tigers are still searching for a centre-back.

Burnley 4-0 Coventry
Two late goals from Ade Akinbiyi helped Burnley record their first win of the season against 10-man Coventry. Garreth O'Connor rifled in a shot from the edge of the box to open the scoring and Wayne Thomas' near-post header doubled Burnley's 10 minutes later. Steven Hughes was dismissed for foul and abusive language three minutes before the break to make things even more difficult for the Sky Blues. And Burnley's advantage told when Akinbiyi struck twice at the end. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: "We need that win, make no bones about it. I needed it, my staff, the fans and the chairman needed it too. "It's funny because you lose a few games and it's all doom and gloom. "We have worked hard and not had many rewards. Hopefully this can kick start us and we can look to the season with excitement rather than trepidation." Coventry boss Micky Adams: "I can't defend Stephen. He's let himself down and his team-mates down. "He's an experienced professional and I'll be disciplining him. "It's bad enough being 2-0 down with 11 men, but you still have half a chance, but with 10 even that's gone." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Thomas, McGreal, Branch, Elliott (McCann 12), Hyde, James O'Connor, Garreth O'Connor, Akinbiyi, Noel-Williams, McCann (Lafferty 78). Subs Not Used: Coyne, Sinclair, Yates. Goals: Garreth O'Connor 28, Thomas 37, Akinbiyi 87, 90. Coventry: Bywater, Duffy, Page, Heath, Hall, Scowcroft, Doyle, Hughes, McSheffrey (Williams 70), John (Jorgensen 45), Adebola (Morrell 76). Subs Not Used: Ince, Wood. Sent Off: Hughes (42). Att: 11,683 Ref: N Miller (Durham).

Rushden 0-3 Coventry
Coventry eased into the second round of the Carling Cup with victory over Rushden & Diamonds. Gary McSheffrey hit City's first goal, finding the net from Marcus Hall's cross after good work from Stern John. Greg Pearson missed a great chance to level before Matt Heath made it 2-0, slotting home after Micky Doyle's shot was deflected into his path. Andy Morrell completed the scoring with the best goal of the night, converting Doyle's through-ball from close range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rushden & D'monds: Young, Gier (Nicholls 33), Dempster (Okuonghae 45), Gulliver, Hawkins, Bell, Savage, McCafferty, Kelly, Pearson (Taylor 74), O'Grady. Subs Not Used: Woodman, Grainger. Booked: Savage, Hawkins, Gulliver, Pearson. Coventry: Ince, Whing, Williams, Heath, Hall, Morrell, Doyle, Jorgensen (Wood 67), McSheffrey (Adebola 77), John, Osbourne. Subs Not Used: Scowcroft, Tuffy, Page. Booked: Osbourne, John, Hall. Goals: McSheffrey 10, Heath 41, Morrell 81. Att: 3,240 Ref: L Probert (Gloucestershire).

Coventry 1-1 Southampton
Southampton's winning run came to an end as Coventry maintained their unbeaten start at the Ricoh Arena. Striker James Scowcroft put the hosts in front by finishing off a flowing sixth-minute move. But a blunder from defender Robert Page allowed Ricardo Fuller to end his near-12 month goal drought with his first for Saints five minutes later. Brett Ormerod hit the woodwork for Saints in a scrappy second half, but a point keeps them in the top five. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coventry: Bywater, Duffy, Page, Shaw, Hall, Flood (Morrell 82), Jorgensen (Osbourne 82), Doyle, McSheffrey, Adebola (John 38), Scowcroft. Subs Not Used: Whing, Ince. Booked: Duffy. Goals: Scowcroft 6. Southampton: Niemi, Hajto, Powell, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Prutton, Oakley, Belmadi, Quashie, Ormerod (Blackstock 72), Fuller. Subs Not Used: Wise, Cranie, Dyer, Smith. Booked: Powell, Prutton. Goals: Fuller 12. Att: 23,000 Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).

Derby 1-1 Coventry
Coventry defender Richard Shaw suffered a worrying injury during his side's draw with Derby. Morten Bisgaard had given the home side the lead when he scored his second goal in as many matches with a 25-yard shot. Shaw was then forced off for Coventry after a worrying clash of heads with Marcus Tudgay. But striker Dele Adebola hauled the visitors level when he latched onto a Gary McSheffrey pass and shot home from the edge of the area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby boss Phil Brown: "We had Andrew Davies out suspended and so with a makeshift defence I thought we defended very well for 99% of the game. "But we had one lapse in concentration which has proved so costly. "After the Coventry goal I thought we looked more composed when we were pushing for a winner." Coventry manager Micky Adams: "Richard Shaw was unconscious on the pitch and has been taken to hospital. I'm led to believe he's regained consciousness. "Matt Heath's got a groin problem which means I'm running out of centre-backs because Ady Williams is out on loan at Millwall and we haven't got a recall." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby: Camp, Edworthy (Peschisolido 90), Kenna, Michael Johnson, Seth Johnson, Bisgaard, Bolder, Idiakez, Thirlwell (Fadiga 67), Tudgay (Holdsworth 73), Smith. Subs Not Used: Poole, Nyatanga. Booked: Thirlwell, Michael Johnson. Goals: Bisgaard 14. Coventry: Bywater, Duffy, Heath (Wood 59), Shaw (Whing 37), Hall, Flood (Morrell 45), Doyle, Jorgensen, McSheffrey, Scowcroft, Adebola. Subs Not Used: Ince, Hughes. Booked: McSheffrey. Goals: Adebola 57. Att: 21,840 Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Shaw fine after head injury fears
Coventry defender Richard Shaw has been discharged from hospital after he suffered a head injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Derby. Shaw, 37, was knocked out after a clash with Derby striker Marcus Tudgay. After being stretchered off, he was taken to hospital and treated for concussion and a gash to the head, but was discharged late on Wednesday night. The former Crystal Palace man will now be assessed further by the Sky Blues' medical staff.

Rams complete loan deal for John
Derby have completed the three-month loan signing of striker Stern John from Championship rivals Coventry with a view to a permanent transfer. The 28-year-old is the Rams' third loan signing in as many days after Khalilou Fadiga and Peter Whittingham. The Trinidad & Tobago international has failed to find the back of the net so far this season for the Sky Blues. The 28-year-old joined Coventry from Birmingham in September 2004, scoring 12 goals last season.

Coventry recruit Watson and Impey
Coventry have signed defender Paul Watson and midfielder Andy Impey on non-contract terms. The pair had both been training with Micky Adams' squad since pre-season and can now feature in first-team action. Watson, 30, was released by Brighton - where he was signed by Adams in 1999 - in the summer. Much-travelled winger Impey, 33, was released by Nottingham Forest after their relegation last season, and also played under Adams at Leicester.

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