Murphy will return to the CBS Arena for the first time in over 10 years when Newcastle take on Coventry on Monday
Jacob Murphy during his loan spell at Coventry City in the 2015/16 season
Jacob Murphy during his loan spell at Coventry City in the 2015/16 campaign(Image: 2015 Getty Images)
When Newcastle United line up against Coventry City on Monday evening it will evoke some happy memories for Magpies winger Jacob Murphy.
Murphy is now in his tenth season with the Magpies since joining the club from Norwich City in the summer of 2017, and head coach Matthias Jaissle fought to keep him at the club amid transfer interest from Nottingham Forest.
Jaissle felt the 31-year-old's experience would be key in the young squad he has assembled at St James' Park this summer but it was actually with Monday's opponents where his career was kickstarted.
Having previously had loan spells with Southend United, Scunthorpe United and Colchester United, Murphy joined Coventry on a season-long loan deal from the Canaries during the 2015/16 season and he took League One by storm, scoring 10 goals and registering 10 assists in all competitions.
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He returned to Carrow Road in the 2016/17 season where the nine goals and eight assists he bagged not only saw him become an England under-21 regular but also convinced Rafa Benitez to splash £12.5milliion to bring him to St James' Park.
After an initial few years of struggle, Murphy has established himself as a key member of the Newcastle squad, helping the Magpies win the Carabao Cup, reach two cup finals and twice qualify for the Champions League. But his success has come as no surprise to those who watched him at the CBS Arena 11 years ago.
"Jacob was part of a really exciting forward line assembled by then City manager Tony Mowbray," Andy Turner, Coventry City reporter for the Coventry Telegraph, told Chronicle Live.
"A three-pronged attack with him of the left, Liverpool’s rapid Ryan Kent on the right and Newcastle United’s Adam Armstrong leading the line down the middle.
"Armstrong scored 20 goals for the Sky Blues during his season-long loan from St James’ Park, while Murphy bagged 10 (nine in the league) as they took League One by storm during the first half of the campaign.
"Sadly, Coventry couldn’t maintain their momentum and there was a drop-off in results after Christmas and the club finished 8th in the end, just missing out on the play-offs despite having looked favourites for promotion contenders.
"Jacob looked a really promising talent during his time at City and it’s no surprise he’s risen to the heights he has done since."
Murphy is expected to start on the right-hand side of Newcastle's front three and he will surely get a warm reception from the home supporters.
Coventry, of course, have come a long way themselves in that time, being relegated to League Two before working their way through the divisions to finally win promotion back to the Premier League ending a 25-year absence from the top flight.