James set to join Sky Blues in loan move
CITY MIDFIELDER TO SWAP TYKES FOR COVENTRY IN CHAMPIONSHIP
LEICESTER City midfielder Matty James has returned to the club after his loan deal with Barnsley expired – but he is expected to head straight back out to Coventry.
James had hoped to continue his spell at Oakwell, but the Tykes have confirmed the 29-year-old will be heading back to City, despite the two clubs entering negotiations over a potential loan extension during recent weeks.
He won’t be at the King Power Stadium long though, as it is understood he will spend the second half of the season with Barnsley’s Championship rivals Coventry.
Playing in 15 games of the 18 he was eligible for at Barnsley, and crucially suffering no injuries, James has had a huge impact on the Tykes’ form, with the club rising from 23rd to ninth in the Championship table during his two-and-a-half months there.
The club expressed their thanks to James, with chief executive Dane Murphy saying: “I cannot overstate the gratitude I have for all that Matty has done for the club in the first half of the season.
“His ability, character, and leadership have impacted the squad in a way that cannot be quantified.
“He will be missed at every level and I am happy that he has been able to prove he is still an elite player.
“This club has an excellent reputation for developing young talent and now some have an opportunity to prove themselves as we continue to push up the Sky Bet Championship table.
“Once again, I’d like to place on record my sincerest thanks to Matty and wish him all the best in the future.”
Unsurprisingly, given he has proven himself to be an asset at Championship level, James now looks to be heading down the M69 to the Sky Blues.
This is likely to be preferable for James over staying at City, with regular football his focus.
“For me, it has been a big step forward in my career from where I was, and that belief was given to me by Barnsley,” he said last month.
“I am trying to repay that as much as I possibly can on the field and then hopefully it could be something we do in January and can start to progress in the coming days.
“I am really enjoying it and for me to be involved in a team which is winning games and moving forward in the league, I am over the moon.”