Coventry City are nearly there. After 25 years away from the big time, a promotion back to the Premier League is on the cards. There will surely be no denying their return.
Since they last dined at England's top table, among some of the country's heavyweights, the club and their supporters have been through it all.
From near administration, from relegation to League One and to League Two, from groundshares with Northampton and Birmingham and to postponements because of the Rugby 7s after the Commonwealth Games, the Sky Blues have risen out of the rubble to establish themselves as the best side in the second tier.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard applauds fans after the match
They came mightily close under former boss Mark Robins, but it is Frank Lampard, Super Frank, who is set to make their dream a reality.
Under Robins, it was Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres running the show. Under Lampard, it has been the likes of Victor Torp and Haji Wright.
Haji-Wright-Coventry-City
As good as they have been, supporters would be lying if they said they wouldn't love a bit of Gyokeres in the top-flight next season.
Viktor Gyokeres' rise to stardom
Gyokeres' story has been a rollercoaster ride but he's most definitely at his peak now. He's a £60m plus striker who could be about to win the Premier League, potentially even the Champions League too.
Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their first goal-1
In the last few years, the big Swede has become one of the most feared strikers on the entire continent. After leaving Coventry behind for Sporting, he bagged 97 goals in 102 outings for the Lisbon side.
It was 2024/25 that was particularly profitable for the 27-year-old who netted 54 times in 52 appearances. He won the Gerd Muller Trophy, an honour handed to the most prolific striker in the game.
As a result, he earned a big-money move to Arsenal, where, despite some inconsistencies, he still has 18 goals in 45 matches to show for his efforts. He's improving all the time and he certainly has Coventry to thank.
Gyokeres' time in England has not always been plain sailing. He featured on just eight occasions for the Brighton first team, scoring once, before earning a move to the CBS Arena.
He came alive in the Midlands, firing home 43 strikes across 116 outings. The 2022/23 campaign, where he beat the goalkeeper 21 times, was a breakout season and one that ultimately ended in his move to Portugal.
Gyokeres season by season
Season
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
Since his departure, Coventry have been searching for someone with the same mojo. Wright has been a menace this term with 17 goals of his own, but he's not quite Gyokeres.
As it happens, they could sign their new version once promotion is sealed.
Coventry could sign their new Gyokeres
Over the summer, the rumour mill will be rife with who could move to the CBS to bolster their ranks in the top-flight.
A romantic return for James Maddison has been touted by some if Spurs suffer relegation, but it's another player with Tottenham associations who could become Coventry's new Gyokeres.
James-Maddison-Coventry-City
That happens to be Irish centre-forward Troy Parrott. Reports towards the back end of last year suggested that the second-tier side were among a number of teams in the running to prise the striker away from Dutch football.
Like Gyokeres, Parrott moved away from English football and thrived. While the 24-year-old only ever played four times for the Spurs first team, with AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, he has thrived. The parallels between Gyokeres' failed Brighton spell and his rise to prominence on the continent are eerie.
The Republic of Ireland international has 29 strikes to his name this term in 44 matches, with ten of those coming in the UEFA Conference League. He's one of the best around and he's ready to come back to England and show Spurs what they are missing.
Described as a "sensational" player by former Republic of Ireland international Ray Houghton and as "the best striker the nation has produced since Robbie Keane" by another Irish hero in the form of Eamon Dunphy, many of the qualities that Parrott possesses align with Gyokeres.
They are similarly quick and like to run the channels. Neither are out-and-out target men, but are fantastic poachers. Both physically aggressive, they can bully their way past the opposition defence with ease.
Wright has proven to be a key player in Coventry's hunt for promotion this season but with Premier League football on the horizon, it represents a golden opportunity for the Sky Blues to strengthen their squad like never before.
troy-parrott-ireland-world-cup-1
In the form of Parrott, they could finally find their rightful heir to Gyokeres' position in the team.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard applauds fans after the match Related
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