Coventry City team news from CoventryLive as Frank Lampard names his starting line-up to face QPR at Loftus Road
13:45, 31 Jan 2026Updated 13:52, 31 Jan 2026
Coventry City’s Ellis Simms is back in the starting line-up to face QPR
Frank Lampard has made four changes to his Coventry City side who go in search of their first Championship win on the road in seven games.
The Sky Blues boss has stuck with the same back four but made changes to his forward line, including the return of fit-again Jack Rudoni who comes in as a straight swap for Brandon Thomas-Asante, the striker starting the first of a three match retrospective ban for violent conduct following Monday night’s defeat at Norwich.
Carl Rushworth continues in goal behind the rearguard of Milan van Ewijk and Jay Dasila at right and left-back, respectively, while Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching are again partnered at the heart of the defence.
Skipper Matt Grimes is partnered by Josh Eccles in midfield, as Victor Torp drops to the bench, while Tatsuhiro Sakamoto starts ahead of Romain Esse on the right wing in an expected 4-2-3-1 formation. Ephron Mason-Clark continues to start ahead of loan man Min-Hyeok Yang on the left, while Ellis Simms is the fourth change, coming in as a like-for-like swap with Haji Wright.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! Get more Coventry City news and analysis via our FB page
The USA international provides back-up from the bench where Kaine Kesler-Hayden misses out and there’s no place for new signing Jahnoah Markelo.
City: Carl Rushworth; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Jay Dasilva; Matt Grimes, Josh Eccles; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark; Ellis Simms.
Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Luke Woolfenden, Jake Bidwell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jamie Allen, Min-Hyeok Yang, Haji Wright, Victor Torp, Romain Esse.
Get the latest Coventry City headlines sent straight to your phone
Get the latest Coventry City news sent straight to your phone by joining our Sky Blues WhatsApp group. It’s a free service. You just need WhatsApp on your phones to participate. To join, just click here, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in. If you later decide to leave our community, you can do so by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking ‘Exit Group’. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content.
Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner – who you can follow on X – follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur – that’s why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you’ll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. You can also get all your favourite content from CoventryLive’s Sky Blues team on WhatsApp. Sign up f or breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.