Frank Lampard has called on Coventry City to play without fear as they prepare for their first Premier League game in 25 years, away at champions Arsenal on Friday. The Coventry manager, who signed a new three-year contract in June, wants his players to embrace the challenge rather than approach it with excessive caution, saying he wants no regrets over their effort and approach regardless of the result.

Coventry, who clinched the Championship title four months ago, have spent around £130m rebuilding their squad, deliberately targeting taller, more physical players capable of competing at the top level. Six of their eight summer signings stand at least 6ft tall, including club-record buy Caleb Yirenkyi (£26m) and 6ft 6in Swiss defender Aurèle Amenda, with 19-year-old striker Sidiki Cherif arriving from Fenerbahce this week. Lampard, last in the Premier League with Chelsea three years ago, also reflected on managing his own work-life balance more effectively this time around.