Coventry are plotting a move for Patterson while Millwall are eyeing a permanent deal

Coventry City are now planning a move for the “unbelievable” player, who is also being eyed by Championship rivals Millwall.

Coventry have joined the race for a Millwall target after Southampton’s retreat

Coventry suffered a setback in their promotion hunt on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-1 at home to Southampton, but they remain in charge, currently sitting top of the table, seven points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough.

The Sky Blues had won their last six games on the spin, keeping three clean sheets, and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth was praised by Frank Lampard after the 2-0 win over Bristol City, with the manager saying: “Carl Rushworth has the ability to rise to the top as a player. He made a lot of saves late on and dealt well with a lot of efforts that could have come from him.

“His performance for us has been very good. Our fans love him and he is a very talented goalkeeper.”

However, according to journalist Alan Nixon (72), Coventry are now keen to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, and are planning to move Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who is currently on loan at Millwall.

The Lions are looking to make a permanent move to Patterson this summer, should they be promoted to the Premier League, where the Sky Blues may need to sign a new goalkeeper, with Rushworth set to return to parent club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking about the 24-year-old’s future, Doug King added: “We tried to buy him, that didn’t happen at the time. We gave him that pitch and gave Brighton that pitch, that’s what we did for Brighton & Hove Albion, and let one of their goalkeepers prove himself in the Championship.”

“Unbelievable” Patterson could be the perfect replacement for Rushworth

Given that no goalkeeper in the Championship has kept more clean sheets than Rushworth this season, losing him would be a mistake, but the Millwall loanee could be the right choice, as he too has been promised to reach the highest level.

Simon Moore hailed the 25-year-old as “unbelievable”, adding: “He’s got the ball at his feet too, he’s calm and relaxed. His handling is very good, he can play at the top without a doubt.”

The young Englishman has kept three points in his opening six Championship games for Millwall, and also kept 14 points en route to victory over Sunderland last season.

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Southampton fear missing out on £17m Conference League striker as Coventry City join race

The Sky Blues are eyeing an “outstanding” striker.

Patterson, who is represented by the same agent as Frank Onyeka, could be the best signing for Coventry, but their priority should be to sign Rushworth permanently.