City stars to return early for campaign
COVENTRY City are expected to return for pre-season training earlier than usual this summer due to the 2022/23 campaign kicking off a week early.
The new Championship campaign is scheduled to start on the weekend of July 30 because of the World Cup in Qatar which begins in November, with the Sky Blues having to cram in more than 20 games before then.
The final league fixtures of the first half of the season will be played on Saturday, November 12 ahead of the call-up period for the tournament, which begins on Monday, November 14 for a five week period when the EFL and Premier League will pause.
Details of City’s pre-season plans are yet to be confirmed by the club but are likely to include their usual trip to Spain for a week-long training camp which will include at least one friendly fixture at the end of the week.
Mark Robins has taken his squad out to Alicante a number of times in recent years, with a match staged at Pinatar Arena.
Last summer saw City take on La Liga side Sevilla in a behind-closed-doors fixture due to Covid but, pre-pandemic, fans were allowed to attend, which many of the Sky Blue Army will be hoping is the case again this year.
City traditionally kick-off their friendly programme in the UK, usually against local non-league neighbours Leamington, while Nuneaton Borough have also featured in the past and will almost certainly be scheduled in for either a first-team or Under-23s fixture.
As for the opposition in Spain, it’s understood Coventry could face League One side Shrewsbury Town, who are also believed to be heading to Alicante for their pre-season camp. That would see Jordan Shipley come face to face with his former team-mates following his recent switch to sign for the Shrews on a threeyear deal.
On their return to England, the Sky Blues usually build up the strength of opposition to test the players ahead of their first league match. Last summer saw the club entertain Premier League Wolves at the CBS Arena, marking the first game back in their home city after two years of ground sharing at St Andrew’s.