Frank Lampard has confirmed that former Bristol City favourite Jamie Paterson is training with Coventry City ahead of the Sky Blues' clash with the Reds this weekend.

Paterson spent five years with the Robins between 2016 and 2021, making 156 appearances in City colours in all competitions. In that time, he scored 26 goals and reigstered 21 assists for his teammates while also playing an important role in the Reds' run to the Carabao Cup semi-finals under Lee Johnson.

Having left Ashton Gate in 2021, the attacking midfielder joined Swansea City and spent three years in South Wales. When his contract with Luke Williams' side came to an end in the summer, the 33-year-old made the move across the Atlantic to join Charlotte FC in the MLS.

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After a brief spell in the United States, Paterson opted against extending his stay with Dean Smith's side and has since returned to the UK and the Midlands where he is now training with his boyhood club Coventry City.

Lampard's side welcome City to the CBS Arena this weekend. Of course, Paterson won't feature having not penned a deal with the Sky Blues and the Coventry boss insists that talks have not yet begun over a potential contract in the Midlands.

As quoted by Coventry Live, Lampard said: "I know Jamie from coming up against him when I was at Derby, and he was at Bristol. He's a Coventry lad, as I think a lot of people know, and he's local to us. He hasn't got a club at the minute.

"It's a good experience, we're helping him to come and get fit and train. Our squad is a little bit stretched at this current moment so I think it helps us too. We are helping each other a little bit in the short-term and that's it. It's just training for the moment."

Liam Manning's Bristol City side head to the CBS Arena this weekend hoping to bounce back from their FA Cup defeat to Wolves and also extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to five games.

A win over Lampard's Sky Blues would help the Reds close the gap to the play-off positions and would boost their hopes of a top-six finish ahead of a busy period. After this weekend's visit to the Midlands, City make the trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday before welcoming Blackburn Rovers to Ashton Gate next Saturday.

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