Coventry: Liam Walsh unlikely to return as Bristol City issue update on midfielder

Championship side Bristol City have issued an update on the future of Liam Walsh, who spent the 2019/2020 season on loan with Coventry City.

The 22-year-old, who was named Coventry’s Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year for the 2019/20 campaign, returned to his parent club after the League One season was ended via a points-per-game system.

Any hopes Coventry had of re-signing Walsh on loan have now seemingly been ended, with Bristol City confirming via their official website that he has had a clause in his contract activated. He is now expected to pursue the opportunity of becoming a first team regular for Lee Johnson’s side next term.

With Sky Blues boss Mark Robins keen to build a squad capable of taking on the challenge of the Championship next term after their promotion, Walsh’s services would have been key. The midfielder had a fine 2019/20 campaign, scoring three goals and supplying five assists.

The 22-year-old’s exit from Coventry has already been addressed to a certain extent with the impending announcement of the signing of midfielder Gustavo Hamer. The Dutchman, who played last season for PEC Zwolle, has jetted into England this week to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before having a medical with the Sky Blues.

Losing Walsh will be a blow for Coventry ahead of next season but Robins has already done his best to find a replacement by agreeing a deal for Hamer.

The Dutch midfielder will need to be afforded time to adjust but, should he perform to the same level as Walsh, he would then prove to be a fine addition and soften the blow of missing out on the Bristol City man for 2020/21.

How much of a loss is Walsh going to be for Coventry? Let us know in the comments section below…