Coventry City are now reportedly plotting a January deal to sign a Premier League midfielder, who desperately needs a move after playing just two minutes of top-flight action so far this season.

"Frustrated" Coventry must bounce back vs Bristol City

Coventry were cruising at the top of the Championship two weeks ago. Now, however, their lead at the top has been cut to just five points and one more slip-up could see Middlesbrough apply greater pressure than ever before this season.

Manager Frank Lampard admitted his frustration after failing to bounce back from a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Ipswich Town and drawing 1-1 with Preston North End, thanks to Daniel Jebbison’s late equaliser.

The last thing that Lampard needs is a reminder of his past failure in the hunt for Championship promotion and Coventry would be wise to act in January to avoid an all too familiar repeat.

On that front, the Sky Blues could turn to the Premier League to get them over the line and, more specifically, Sunderland’s Dan Neil. The midfielder has struggled for minutes in Wearside this season, but has caught the attention of those in the Championship.

Coventry plotting Dan Neil move

Coventry are now plotting a January deal to sign Neil, according to TeamTalk, and there’s no doubt that the Sunderland man needs a move away from Wearside next month.

The midfielder has gone from lifting the playoff trophy at Wembley as Sunderland’s captain to playing just two minutes of Premier League action following the arrival of Granit Xhaka.

With just over six months left on his current deal, the Black Cats are reportedly ready to cash in, providing Coventry with the perfect opportunity to welcome last season’s promotion hero.

Although Neil has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, it’s tough to doubt his ability to make his mark in the Championship following Sunderland’s promotion.

It was in the second tier that the 23-year-old earned the most praise from Regis Le Bris, with the Sunderland boss telling reporters last January: “The individual output is not maybe as big as expected but it is still very important for the team. You can feel how strong he is as an individual player. At the same, the role he has for the balance of the team is very important.”

Neil played a pivotal part in the Black Cats’ promotion and may yet get the chance to help Coventry over the line in January.