Frank Lampard confirms extent of fan favourite's season-ending injury

Fan favourite Tatsuhiro Sakamoto has been ruled out of Coventry City’s two remaining games of the season after it has been confirmed that he has a cracked rib.

The hugely popular Japanese winger suffered the injury in Easter Monday’s goalless draw at Hull and hasn’t played since, with head coach Frank Lampard admitting it’s a “shame” for the lad to have to sit out the end of season run which includes Sunday’s game against Wrexham, after which the players will be awarded the Championship title trophy.

Asked if Sakamoto will be able to play again before the end of the campaign, Lampard said: “No, you won’t be seeing him. The injury recovery means that he probably won’t return until just after the season. And now us being in this position (having secured promotion as champions with two games to go), then there’s no need to rush that, as such. The injury is what it is.”

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Asked if it’s a cracked rib or severe bruising, Lampard said: “I think he’s got a small crack and some other issues around the injury, which I wouldn’t be able to describe. It was an awkward injury, a painful one, but he’s actually been around and he’s in every day and he’s fine now but I’m sure he sort of rolls over in bed and has some pain. I’ve crack my ribs in the past and I know what it’s like.”

The City boss feels sorry for Sakamoto to have missed recent games including, of course, securing automatic promotion at Blackburn and then clinching the title against Portsmouth ahead of this weekend’s trophy celebrations.

“It’s a real shame,” he said. "His performances, when he’s not there you understand what you miss with attacks. And when he’s played he’s been absolutely amazing. I’ve said it before but I like the low maintenance nature of him because as a manager it’s not the norm. He’s brilliant; has a brilliant humility, brilliant work ethic and is a huge talent, and we all know how great he’s been for us.”

The Coventry Telegraph has produced a stunning special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.

And to celebrate, the Coventry Telegraph has produced this stunning 48-page special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.

Since relegation in 2001, the Sky Blues have gone through many well-documented lows, but a quarter of a century later, free-scoring City have earned promotion in emphatic style.

And our bumper special edition is the perfect souvenir to remember that fantastic achievement by.

We'll have match reports, pics, and reaction from every kick of City's journey back to English football's promised land.

It's all here... the avalanche of goals pre-Christmas that made promotion look nailed on, the brief wobble that followed, and the revival under Lampard to consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Plus, Sky Blues writer Andy Turner will have pages and pages of in-depth analysis on the title-winning season, manager Lampard's success, key players, and what lies ahead for the club in the top flight.

Club historian Jim Brown will also share his fact-filled take on promotion, while there will be pictures and reports from the Sky Blues' joyful promotion celebrations.

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