Fabio Tavares insists he can more than play his part in Coventry City’s final 20 Championship matches if given the opportunity to stay and fight for game time. Although the young striker has been out for a year with a ruptured Achilles, he gave manager Mark Robins food for thought at the weekend when he made his first team comeback in the FA Cup, going on as a late substitute in the 6-2 victory over Oxford United.
The Sky Blues’ boss indicated last month that the 22-year-old might benefit from going out on loan to get game time but admitted after seeing his pace: “When you have got that speed, he’s got to be around it, there’s no two ways about that.”
Asked how he sees this month panning out for him, Tavares, who scored twice in the Under-21s 3-3 draw with Hull City on Tuesday afternoon to further stake his claim to stay, said: “I’m not sure to be honest. I think a loan is a possibility. I just need to see what is going on in the next few days in the window and see if I’m getting some minutes here or not and then discuss it then and see what we can do moving forward.
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“I missed last year so my priority now is to play as much minutes and games as I can do. I spoke to the gaffer not long ago, he said ‘Let’s get to January and address it, see how things are going.’
“We will see over the next couple of weeks whether I need to go out or maybe I can stay here, if he feels like he needs me part of the squad and he is going to give me some minutes.
“I am turning 23 soon so I am not really a youngster anymore. I have missed a lot so game time is my priority. I want to get as many minutes as possible now to the end of the season. Let’s see what happens over the next couple weeks.”
Asked if he feels like he can make a contribution if he stays for the remainder of the season, he said: “100 per cent. I do feel I’ve got the ability to make a big contribution here. I’m still a bit away. It’s been a long time. Match fitness wise, I’m still a bit away. I just need to build it back up and, if I do stay here, do my bit for the team.”
What would you like to see Tavares do, stay at City and help the play-off push or go out and get regular game time to aid his development? Tell us what you think here.
