Cats ‘made enquiry’ for City striker Clarke-Harris

Coventry City boss Mark Robins has revealed Sunderland, Portsmouth and Fleetwood Town all enquired about striker Jonson Clarke-Harris on deadline day.

The Black Cats were linked with a number of forwards as they tried to replace Josh Maja with the clock ticking.

And Robins says he was braced for a bid from Sunderland and their promotion rivals for the player, only for one not to materialise.

He said: “There was Fleetwood, there was Sunderland and there was Portsmouth early on. I have no idea what happened.

“I was told Portsmouth and Sunderlandweregoing t o make a bid so then you think what that will look like, and can we do something ourselves off the back of it. But we have had limited time to do it.”

However, with no offers on the table from the trio, the 24-year-old ended up completing a deadline day move to Bristol Rovers.

Clarke-Harris scored six goals for Coventry this season, including the equalsier against Sunderland in September.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have also been credited with an interest in Beziers attacking midfielder Adam Boujamaa, according to reports.

The 20-year-old is yet to sign a professional contract with the Ligue 2 side, and a deal could take place at the end of the season once his youth deal expires.

Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers have been linked with the player.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has refused rule out dipping into the free agent market after Jack Whatmough’s knee injury – although he admitted it’d be unlikely.

The Pompey defender underwent a MRI scan on Monday, and is expected to receive the results today.

“If I feel there’s an exception to that and someone phones me up and I think so then yes, but generally not playing and getting up to speed is tough,” said Jackett. “I wouldn’t rule it out because there can be one but that is generally the exception to the rule.

“I would think that we have to concentrate with the group we have and have enough players to overcome injuries.”