Awoniyi was sent off on September 13 by the referee for striking Brighton defender De Cuyper in the face with his elbow during an aerial challenge.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has disclosed that Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi will be available for selection during Sunday’s Premier League tie against Tottenham Hotspur.
The English tactician made this known on Thursday while addressing journalists during his pre-match press conference.
On September 13, match referee Tony Harrington sent off Awoniyi after the forward was adjudged to have struck Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper in the face with a raised elbow during an aerial challenge.
The Nigeria international was subsequently unavailable for two consecutive league fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, as well as a Carabao Cup third-round match against Aston Villa.
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However, following the completion of his suspension for violent conduct, Lampard now faces a selection headache ahead of the league encounter against Tottenham.
Coventry City have reversed their poor run of form during Awoniyi’s absence, securing consecutive Premier League victories after losing each of their first four matches.
The former Chelsea manager will now have to decide whether to reinstate Awoniyi in the starting line-up or maintain confidence in Sidiki Cherif, who delivered an impressive performance against Newcastle United last weekend.
Speaking ahead of the game against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Lampard said, “If you want to try and do well in this league or stay in this league and progress in this league, you have to be able to have strikers that can do the all-round striker job but also score your goals.
“You need, with the rigours of this league, to push each other, back each other and be there. There’s nothing better. Taiwo has missed his three games; he’s back in. We bought him for a reason. I think he was doing pretty well before the red card and missing the games.”
