RECENTLY injured Coventry City striker Yakubu is fighting to get fit to be back in contention to play, revealed team boss Mark Robins, who also warned of the dangers of buying out-of-contract unfit players.
The 32-year-old ex-Premier League star hobbled around the Ricoh Arena pitch after coming on as a second-half substitute against Swindon Town last month.
He had been brought in by ex-boss Russell Slade as an out-of-contract ‘free agent’ in February after Slade missed out on goalscoring targets in the January transfer window.
It has been hoped the former Everton and Nigeria prolific goalscorer could find the net to boost City’s chances of avoiding relegation.
Robins also told the Coventry Observer today no more out-of-contract players would be coming to the club before the end of the season.
His predecessor Slade had a fortnight ago spoken of the potential of bringing in one more ex-Premier player, but that has today been ruled out emphatically by the new boss.
Of Yakubu, Robins said: “He says he’s feeling better and is willing, and going around with a big smile on his face. He’s looking to get back fit and get back in.
“I haven’t seen him for a while. He’s been a really good player over the years.
“It will be interesting to see where he is with his fitness. He was missing match fitness and training.. he picked up the injury quickly.”
Asked if there was any prospect of other free agents coming in this seasons, Robins said: “No chance. If they’re out of contract, they haven’t been in training and are not going to be ready.
“We’ve done that and spent some money and it’s not worked.
“I can see why it’s done. You try everything to change things. January is a difficult transfer window.”
