Lampard calls on youngsters to embrace Boro challenge

Frank Lampard took over Coventry City with the club 17th in the Championship, just two points above the relegation zone.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has called on his young players to "enjoy the challenge" ahead of their make-or-break clash against Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough.

The Sky Blues sit sixth and occupy the final play-off place on goal difference ahead of Millwall with a win in front of an expected sell-out CBS Arena guaranteeing Lampard's men a spot in the post-season shake-up.

And ahead of the match, the 46-year-old spoke of the importance of his squad embracing any pressure they may be feeling ahead of a season-defining fixture, with a defeat allowing Boro to leapfrog Coventry on the final day.

Luis Binks, 23, is expected to start once more at the heart of Coventry's defence with in-form attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni, also 23, looking to add to an impressive tally of four goals and two assists from his last nine matches.

"We've got some young players. Hopefully, the freshness and the youth there can keep them free going into it," Lampard told BBC CWR.

"Enjoy the challenges [as] opposed to being overwhelmed by them. That would be my message."

Lampard took over as Coventry boss in late November following the dismissal of Mark Robins as the Sky Blues sat just two points above the Championship drop zone with many questioning the former Chelsea manager's appointment.

However, 15 wins from 28 league games later, including a run of nine victories in 10 matches between January and March, and Lampard's installation now looks to be a shrewd one with some touting him to be Championship manager of the season - an award which was won by Burnley's Scott Parker instead.

"That's the ride that we've been on. We've made steps and now we've given ourselves an opportunity which is great but clearly the job isn't done yet," he added.

"There's no point in hiding what's on the game.

"It's in our hands but it's a really tough match so we just have to focus absolutely on the opponent and what we want to do, as we do with every game, but it is a knockout game in effect."

Lampard also took time to praise the man who will be in the opposition dugout on Saturday, Michael Carrick, a former West Ham and England international team-mate of his.

"I know him really well as a lad and he's always been one of the very good people in the game," Lampard said.

"Very genuine, very down-to-earth, very smart, so [I'm] looking forward to seeing him and going against him."