Coventry City loan news from CoventryLive as Frank Lampard provides an update on the progress of development defender Callum Perry’s outstanding spell at non-league Rochdale
Young Coventry City defender Callum Perry was training with Frank Lampard’s first team earlier in the season before being sent out on loan
A young Coventry City defender who had already caught Frank Lampard’s eye is making a name for himself during an outstanding loan spell.
The Sky Blues boss has revealed that centre-half Callum Perry “wasn’t far away” from his first team when he was sent out to get vital senior experience to help further his development with regular men’s football.
Sent out to National League promotion favourites Rochdale – who currently occupy top spot in the division – the 20-year-old has started all ten league games to date, playing the full 90 minutes in all but two and helping the club to an impressive eight wins and two draws, including five clean sheets.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! Get more Coventry City news and analysis via our FB page
Perry made such a good impression after his initial month on loan at Spotland that manager Jimmy McNulty moved swiftly to extend his stay until the end of the season.
Asked if it’s an example of a perfect loan deal for both clubs, Lampard told CoventryLive: “Yeah, it’s great and I’m delighted for Callum. He’s a really good lad.
“He was training brilliantly for us and we wanted to get him out on loan probably a bit earlier but, squad-wise, we couldn’t. And that’s always a difficult moment because training, training, training without playing proper games isn’t ideal.
“And now he’s gone out and I’ve heard the reports about how well he’s doing. A couple of lads have gone to watch him play a couple of games, so it’s really, really great for him to get that.”
He added: “He’s a quality footballer, Callum, and it’s doing him an absolute world of good. It’s good to go on loan and play well and show that. It’s not always the case, and he’s done great.”
As for getting used to the physicality of men’s football rather than development games with players his own age, the head coach said: “Yeah, and for a centre-half in physical leagues, you know, like that’s exactly what he needed and it’s the right time. I haven’t specifically watched any of his games but I’ve read all the reports and seen how he’s doing, and he’s acquitting himself very, very well.”
Perry still has a long way to go to make it at his parent club but asked how close he is to bridging that gap to get near the Coventry first team, Lampard clearly has high hopes for the lad, saying: “Yeah, and he wasn’t far away with us to be fair. The way he was training I wouldn’t have had a feeling to not use him but we were very consistent with our back four early in the season and all those things, and obviously when you’re fighting towards the top of the league it’s quite critical and we didn’t have a chance to see him play in this level of games.
“And now that’s why this has been so good because you see him make that step and show that he can do it. He’ll be full of confidence, Callum, and he deserves it. As I say, he’s a great lad to work with and a very good player.”
Asked what sort of a player he is and the attributes he has, Lampard said: “He’s very good on the ball for centre-half. I mean, his passing and how he handles the ball is a really high level.
“I asked him quite early if he had played in midfield when he was younger, and he had because it looked like that.
“So he’s moved backwards on the pitch and it’ll be the physical nature of the game and he needs to learn how to deal with that. And I think he deals with it well.”
He added: “When you look at him he’s not six foot five, but he can play. He’s tough, he’ll put his foot in and he’s got a little edge to him. He’s a good lad.”
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.