Coventry City owner reveals transfer stance on Championship Player of the Season nominee

Coventry City could launch a permanent move for loanee Carl Rushworth this summer.

However, club owner Doug King has admitted he has not yet thought about signing the goalkeeper following promotion.

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The Sky Blues secured their return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence on Friday night.

Bobby Thomas’ equaliser was enough to earn the point they needed in their 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers.

Rushworth has been an integral part of their success this season with a Championship-leading 16 cleans sheets in 43 league appearances.

The former England Under-21 international has conceded just 43 goals in the competition this term.

His performances have also seen Rushworth named in the Championship Team of the Season and get nominated for the Player of the Season prize at Sunday’s EFL Awards.

However, the Player of the Season award was won by Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

Could Coventry sign Rushworth permanently?

Ahead of the ceremony, King joined Shaun Custis and Henry Winter on talkSPORT’s Sunday Edition.

Asked whether they can bring Rushworth back to the club this summer, he said: “We had Oliver Dovin last year and Ollie was going great and had a really unlucky incident at Sheffield United.

“We recognised we needed a top goalkeeper, therefore, for this season.

“We knew Carl had had some tougher times. He went to Hull, got injured, got pulled back to Brighton.

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“We obviously follow a lot of people, we always thought he was a very good goalkeeper. We did try and buy him, that’s documented, in the summer. That got short-changed from Brighton.

“But they were really happy to showcase him with us at, hopefully, the top end of the Championship and obviously he’s had a great season.

“I haven’t even thought about it (signing Rushworth permanently). He’s a loan player, he’s Brighton’s player. He’ll go back on June 30th and then we’ll see how it all stacks up on a lot of things.”

Oliver Dovin has been sidelined for over a year having suffered a torn ACL in March 2025.

Meanwhile, Rushworth arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton in July.

The 24-year-old has had previous spells on loan at Worthing, Walsall, Lincoln City, Swansea City and Hull City.

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His current Seagulls deal has a year remaining, and talkSPORT understands six Premier League clubs are already showing an interest in him.

Although King remains coy on Coventry’s pursuit of Rushworth, the club have already made a new signing for next season.

Fellow loanee Frank Onyeka has made his move from Brentford permanent.

The deal was completed after a clause in his loan was triggered by the club achieving promotion on Friday.