Frank Lampard on Coventry City's 'big player' yet to get the recognition he deserves

There was always going to be a period of adjustment for Coventry City as they made the significant leap to Premier League football.

A number of the Sky Blues players, both new and existing squad members from last season’s outstanding promotion success, have not quite looked themselves in the opening two games, perhaps a little overawed by the stage or simply still getting to grips with a new-look team and change in tactical approach.

One player who Frank Lampard remains convinced is going to make a real impact in the division is Ephron Mason-Clark. The winger didn’t have the ideal preparation going into the fresh campaign, suffering a pre-season injury that meant he missed City’s big opening night at Arsenal.

He was then named on the bench for the Carabao Cup trip to Plymouth Argyle and went on just after the hour, injecting some much needed attacking drive and scoring a goal within five minutes of being on the pitch at Home Park to restore the visitors’ lead and set them back on course for victory.

The eye-catching cameo was enough to earn the 27-year-old a start against Hull, making his Premier League debut – a far cry from his humble Barnet beginnings down in League Two.

“Ephron’s a big player for us, one of the most instrumental players for us in what we did last year,” said Lampard, who still feels aggrieved that the Jamaican international wasn’t recognised in the Championship team of the season where former Stoke wide man Sorba Thomas got the nod ahead of him.

“I don’t think he got anywhere near the recognition outside of Coventry than what he should have done because, for me, he was the best winger in the league. He was fantastic, a big player, so it’s good to see him looking fit and strong.”

Like a number of his Coventry team-mates, namely Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jack Rudoni and Matt Grimes, the fact that he started out in the lower leagues and has made it all the way to the top is a source of great inspiration and drive.

Asked if the lad is looking forward to showing what he can do in the top flight, eager to make a real impact at the level, City’s head coach insisted: “Absolutely. I think that’s just him. He wants to get better all the time. That’s why him and others get to the levels they get to because of their hunger and daily drive to be there and they deserve to be. He deserves to be in the Premier League.”