Recalled goalie Wilson 'buzzing' after Coventry exit fears

[dutchman]

Ben Wilson is set to continue in goal for Coventry City at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday



Coventry City goalkeeper Ben Wilson said regaining his place in the side is especially satisfying after feeling his departure from the club was "inevitable".

The 32-year-old has played the last two games in place of summer signing Oliver Dovin - the 3-0 defeat by Leeds United and the 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, keeping the Sky Blues first clean sheet in the Championship this season.

He is set to continue in Saturday's home game against Sheffield Wednesday as the Sky Blues look to win back-to-back matches at the Coventry Building Society Arena in the space of five days.

"I've got my head down, worked hard and I'm buzzing," Wilson told BBC CWR.

County Durham-born Wilson began his career on the books at Sunderland and had numerous loan spells before getting his first regular first-team chance for Coventry in the 2020-21 season after leaving Bradford City a year earlier.

Two seasons ago he was a near ever-present as he helped City reach the Championship play-off final, where they lost to Luton Town.

Last term he was number two to Brad Collins and, feeling the club were keen to sign another keeper this summer, Wilson was not sure what he was going to do.

"I came in at the start of the season not knowing what my future held," he said.

"I know there were rumours of a new goalkeeper coming in and I knew I was the number two and not getting in at the end of the season.

"In my head I thought, 'I'm away.' I spoke to a few people over the summer, including my agent, and that's the way it was looking.

"I've come back thinking I'm going to be third choice and that's not something I wanted to do."

Wilson added: "Deep down I didn't want to leave.

"I felt really at home and I love playing for Coventry but it was inevitable that I was going.

"From day one my mind was made up to do everything I can to give myself the best chance to play - whether that was here or elsewhere.

"But luckily I've been rewarded for the hard work I've put in during pre-season."

After City started the season with one win in six games, boss Mark Robins brought Wilson, who had played in the club's three EFL Cup ties, back for 22-year-old Dovin for the trip to Elland Road, citing his experience as one of the reasons.

"Going into the Leeds game I was a little bit nervous because I was put in to make the difference and it didn't happen at all," Wilson said.

"I felt fine the cup games, and done well, and it was nice to be called on as the experienced player and I like that.

"In my head I wasn't panicking [about the poor start] because we haven't started well in previous seasons and don't usually until October - and we battered Blackburn."

He added: "It's just time, every year when new players come in they've got to find their feet and everyone wants success from day one.

"We've set the bar where we expect to be and if we perform like that we'll get results."