Coventry City's push for automatic promotion hit a minor speed bump with a goalless draw against Hull City on Monday, but manager Frank Lampard has delivered a positive update on the squad's fitness ahead of a crucial weekend clash.

The key news for Sky Blues fans is regarding defender Bobby Thomas, who missed the Hull match. Lampard clarified that his absence was not due to a serious injury but rather a combination of a minor knock and general fatigue from a grueling Championship schedule. "Bobby had a bit of a knock on his shin and overall fatigue so he was struggling to recover in the turnaround," Lampard said, expressing confidence that Thomas "will be okay" for Saturday's pivotal game against Sheffield Wednesday.

However, the situation is slightly more cautious for forward Brandon Thomas-Asante, who is also nursing an injury. He missed the Hull fixture with a minor hamstring issue, and the medical team is taking a careful approach. "With a player like him you’ve got to be really careful," Lampard noted, explaining that Thomas-Asante will undergo rigorous testing this week to determine his availability for the weekend.

Despite the dropped points, the draw at Hull showcased the defensive resilience that has been a cornerstone of Coventry's successful campaign. Lampard praised his team's ability to grind out a result when their attacking play wasn't at its fluid best, a vital trait for any team eyeing promotion. "When you play 46 games a season, you’re not going to get it all your own way," he reflected. "It wasn't an easy game... but they were a dangerous team so at half-time it was just trying to manage it and also just boost the lads."

With just five games remaining, Coventry's position is strong. They currently sit 12 points clear of third place, putting them firmly in the driver's seat for a return to the Premier League. Getting key players like Thomas back for the final stretch will be crucial as they look to seal the deal and secure top-flight football.