Frank Lampard has provided an injury update on Coventry City’s leading scorer Haji Wright whose return to action is taking a “bit longer” than had been hoped.

There’s positive news, however, regarding winger Ephron Mason-Clark who is on track with his recovery from a hamstring strain, while goalkeeper Ben Wilson will be “back in contention” if he comes through a run-out in the Under-21s at Birmingham City today (Fri), which comes as his first game in almost four months.

Asked if striker Wright is back training on the grass yet at Ryton, the Sky Blues head coach said: “No, hopefully next week.”

Whether that means the USA international has suffered a setback with his ankle ligament injury, Lampard explained: “I wouldn’t call it a setback. It’s taken a bit longer, probably. It was a difficult injury, Haji’s injury, a difficult ankle injury. So as much as you try to estimate how long these things take, you’re always waiting for that moment of the last bit to get on the pitch, those little steps along the way. So I wouldn’t call it a setback, it’s just a little bit slower than any of us want.”

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Wright has been out for nearly three months, having suffered the damage at Sunderland on November 9, and Lampard and his medical staff want to make sure the ankle is fully recovered to ensure it doesn’t break down.

“Absolutely,” agreed Lampard, “and we have that duty to do that, and Haji will want exactly the same. It’s obviously a frustration for us all. He wants to play and I want him to play. I haven’t seen him yet and just see him in the gym and have a little chat with him here and there, so it’s really unfortunate because I know the level of player that he is and what he can do for this club. But it is what it is.”

Wright will provide a nice boost in two or three weeks’ time if the team continues to build on the current momentum.

“Oh yes,” said the City boss, clearly looking forward to the prospect of having the player back. “I mean, having a player of his level back will be a big bonus for us and I absolutely don’t underestimate that.

“We’re working hard without him, as you always do, and other people are getting opportunities. We’re talking about them but at the same time you can’t look past the level of player he is and the impact he’s had here since arriving at the club. The fact that he’s a clinical goal scorer, amongst other talents, is a big deal so it will be a very nice welcome return when he does come back.”

Providing an update on Mason-Clark, Lampard said: “He’s progressing nicely. We’re hoping it will be about six weeks (in total) so that means he’ll hopefully be back in a couple of weeks’ time, hopefully, in and around the team for training and then hopefully back soon.”

He added: “You have to be careful with hamstrings, especially with pretty explosive players, wingers, but I have to say his attitude has been first class, as I expected it from the short time of knowing him. He’s a great lad, great attitude and done everything in the gym. He’s already looking stronger so in the big scheme this won’t be the worst thing for Ephron.

“It’s bad now but these injuries are par for the course for young players and he’s dealt with it brilliantly, and hopefully we’ll see him back soon.”

Turning to Ben Sheaf, the head coach said: “Yes, working his way through the process. He’s a top pro, captain of the club and I really have a lot of time for Ben when I speak to him. He really cares and he hates being out. I know the feeling because I also used to get calf injuries towards the end of my career, from 30 onwards, so I’ve got a real understanding of calves and how frustrating they are as an injury.

“You try and do everything you can to manage them and all the things that you do. But he’s working really well so he’s hopefully on schedule to be back, hopefully, similar-ish time to Ephron – something around that or just a little bit later.”

And finally, he said of goalkeeper Wilson who has recovered from a knee ligament injury: “Ben’s playing today in the Under-21s and if he comes through that then I think he’ll be back in contention.”