Coventry City revealed today that they had got their man. They announced that they had completed negotiations to sign Carlton Palmer on a permanent basis.

His three months loan from Nottingham Forest expires just a few days before Christmas, at which point he will sign on the dotted line for the Sky Blues.

The announcement was welcomed by everyone, not least the fans. Since his arrival five weeks ago Coventry have not lost a match and he has brought a new freedom in midfield for Gary McAllister.

They played together at Leeds United and know each other’s game inside out. The result is that McAllister has been able to push forward at every opportunity and he has been rewarded with six goals in thirteen games.

Today Coventry’s chairman Bryan Richardson said:

"Carlton will sign a two and a half years contract which takes him past his 36^th birthday, when his loan period comes to an end in December.

"He has done very well indeed. The side is playing better and he has been a big part of that.

"His experience shows and he is very good at tidying things up and calming things down.

"He very much likes being part of this club. He did not enjoy Forest when Ron Atkinson left, but he feels very much at home here and I think that shows."

Palmer said:

"It was not a difficult decision for me. I have enjoyed it at Coventry City almost from the first moment I set foot in the place and I told the manager so.

"Gary McAllister is a super player and our styles complement each other. It’s all going well for the side at the moment.

"Saturday’s match at Bradford City is a massive game for us. If we can get three points we shall be reasonably pleased with ourselves going into the break for international games the following weekend."