Following the incredible form of summer loan signing Carl Rushworth so far in the Championship this season and with him set to head back to Brighton at the end of the season, it could be another loan player who will break Sky Blues fans hearts.
Here are five loan players in the last ten years who left with love and respect from Coventry fans but never returned to the club after a successful loan spell.
Going back to the 2015/16 season under Tony Mowbray, Armstrong joined on loan from Newcastle United and was by far one of the best strikers in League One at just 18 years old, scoring 20 goals.
In a team surrounded of quality players such as James Maddison, Joe Cole, John Fleck, Jacob Murphy and Ryan Kent, it promised to be a potential promotion season for the Sky Blues.
Mowbray’s side were top at Christmas but finished eighth after a mid-season collapse – but this did not stop fans recognising Armstrong’s talent who returned to The Magpies in the summer of 2016 after his phenomenal season at Coventry.
In the first season back in League One following promotion from League Two in 2018, the Sky Blues signed skilful attacking-midfielder Enobakhare from Wolves in January.
The Nigerian scored six goals and assisted three in 18 appearances for Mark Robins side who quickly became a fan favourite and helped guide the side to 8th on their return to League One.
Despite being linked with a return to the Sky Blues the following summer he joined Championship outfit Wigan. He re-joined the Sky Blues in 2021 but made one appearance before having his contract terminated.
After promotion to the Championship, Robins took a gamble on 20-year-old defender Leo Ostigard on loan from Brighton for the 2020/21 season.
The Norwegian played 40 times across the season and scored two goals – including a late header against relegation rivals Rotherham United to almost secure Championship safety.
His celebration that evening made him even more of a favourite amongst fans and even created a viral hashtag #OstigardKickingThings – unfortunately he broke Sky Blues fans hearts by not returning the following season and moved to Stoke instead.
The Chelsea wing-back was 19 when he joined the Sky Blues on-loan for the 2021/22 season and was rated highly at Stamford Bridge and has since gone on to play in a Champions League final for Borussia Dortmund.
His attacking qualities shone throughout the season including a beautiful goal against Fulham in a 4-1 victory. Fans were quick to become fans of the Dutchman after an impressive start to life at the CBS Arena.
Despite rumours of a mid-season move to Barcelona – he remained at the Sky Blues for the full season as the Sky Blues settled for a mid-table finish in 12th.
Maatsen joined Vincent Kompany’s Burnley next season which caused some uproar amongst Sky Blues fans after some words said when he joined the club which left some fans booing on his return to the CBS.
The 19-year-old quickly cemented himself amongst the back three for the Sky Blues in the 2022/23 season – making 44 appearances across the league season, as well as the play-off final defeat to Luton.
In a partnership with Luke McNally and Kyle McFadzean, the defence as a whole was strong which resulted in them finishing 5th in the Championship after superb seasons from Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres.
Doyle was much-loved by fans at Coventry City throughout the season for his good tackling and superb diagonal pings across the pitch, but this soon diminished when he joined arch-rivals Leicester City the following season.
Despite his incredible form that year, he spent the next three years playing Championship football at Leicester, Norwich and now a permanent move to Wrexham – somehow he has not made the step up to the Premier League.
The overall morale of the story is – never fall in love with a loan player, they will always break your heart!
