Two Coventry players doubts for Arsenal clash as Frank Lampard rules star out

Arsenal host Coventry City in their Premier League opener at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening

Frank Lampard has confirmed Coventry City duo Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni are in contention to face Arsenal, though their availability remains in doubt.

Both players were staples for the Sky Blues last season as they romped their way to the Championship title, sealing a return to the Premier League.

Coventry are now gearing up to face the champions at the Emirates in the season curtain-raiser, but striker Haji Wright will definitely be absent.

The USMNT starlet missed recent friendlies against Espanyol and Monaco after plundering 17 league goals last term. But he's now battling a quad injury that could see him miss up to the first three months of the campaign in a major blow for Lampard.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The ex-England midfielder said: “Haji Wright won’t be available for the Arsenal game.

“He won’t be available for a little while, he’s got a very serious quad injury which is disappointing for Haji and for us.

“It’s certainly going to be a number of weeks, it could even be up to 12 weeks.”

Wright has 49 goals and 11 assists to his name in 124 appearances for the newly-promoted outfit.

However, Coventry have added extra firepower to their ranks to compete with players like Ellis Simms.

Burnley winger Loum Tchaouna, Fenerbahce's teenage striker Sadiki Cherif and Nottingham Forest frontman Taiwo Awoniyi have all signed on the dotted line.

Coventry have also added quality in midfield and defence landing Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi, defender Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt plus the return of Gustavo Hamer.

Carl Rushworth has also signed permanently after the goalkeeper impressed on loan from Brighton.

Lampard knows it's a tough ask to go to Arsenal and return with a point, let alone all three.

He said of the size of the task at hand: "I want to show in our performance and how we approach the game that we're not coming into it with fear. We respect Arsenal greatly, but it doesn't mean you play with too much respect that you are passive. We can hopefully show we are a good team that want to do something this year."

"Winning or losing at Arsenal won't define our season, but consistency over the course will" before adding that Coventry want to "compete in every game that we play and to take every game as it comes."