LUCAS Jutkiewicz may have played his last game for Coventry City.
The Sky Blues’ top goalscorer has been strongly linked with moves to Championship title contenders Middlesbrough and hometown club Southampton, who Coventry welcome to the Ricoh Arena tomorrow in the FA Cup third round, kick-off 3pm.
However, Jutkiewicz is a doubt with a back injury for that game, and the club might not want to cup-tie the striker anyway, although boss Andy Thorn insisted the 22-year-old would play if fit.
Thorn did also admit that the former Everton man (pictured right) may leave the club, while the manager seems to have a difference of opinion over the future of defender James McPake.
The Scottish 27-year-old said on social networking site Twitter: “Just to confirm, I haven’t handed in a transfer request!
“And I’m committed to CCFC like I have been since I came here.
“Like any player I want to be playing games. I still have the fight to get back into the team, and will continue to work hard to do this.”
This came hours after Thorn claimed that the ex-Livingston captain had requested a move back to Scotland.
Nathan Cameron is out for six weeks with a knee ligament injury, meaning McPake may get a chance in the first team against Southampton this weekend.
And goalkeeper Joe Murphy believes that the Sky Blues can derail the league leaders after only losing by two late goals in the league game.
He said: “I think it will be a good way of getting back to winning ways as the game in the league was quite close.
“It will be a really good test for us as they are a good side and these are the sort of teams we need to be playing to improve our quality further.
“It is the biggest cup competition in the world and every kid wants to play in the FA Cup so it is one to look forward to.”
The 30-year-old also believes he is in the best form of his career.
He joined Coventry from relegated Scunthorpe United in the summer, and has conceded just once in the last three games.
Murphy had a great game in Monday’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham United, producing several saves to keep City in the contest until the very end.
He said: “I personally feel since coming to the club that I have played some of my best football.
“Whether or not other people think that doesn’t matter, I know my own game.
“There has been a mistake or two but it is going to happen.
“I feel the best I have ever felt and feel I am playing the best I have.
“I feel great at the club and I am happy with my own form at the moment. It doesn’t really matter about my form though, but the teams.”
On the club’s form over Christmas, he said: “If you probably told us before the Christmas period that we would get six points out of nine, we would probably have taken that.
“We are disappointed with the loss but the dressing room knows that over the last few games, we are looking better on the pitch and performances have improved.
“It is a tough period to get through, fitness-wise, but I think I can be happy with our efforts.
“It was around the corner to get something out of the games as we have been unlucky.
“The performances were good but I wouldn’t say they were great so there is still some improvement to be done there.”
COVENTRY FROM: Murphy, Keogh, Hussey, Cranie, Wood, Bell, Baker, Deegan, Thomas, Jutkiewicz, McSheffrey, Dunn, McPake, Willis, Bigirimana, Jeffers, Christie
