Italian striker Stephano Gioacchini is out of the frame for the Sky Blues match against the old enemy Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 22 year, who was anxious to impress manager Gordon Strachan in last night’s reserve match at Highfield Road, limped off the pitch after half an hour with a hamstring muscle injury.

Gioacchini, on loan from the Italian Serie A club Venezia to the end of the season, is desperate to win a contract in English football.

His wife is English and has just given birth to their son and Gioacchini also likes English football.

"It is fast and not so tactical as back home in Italy. There is more excitement and I like that," he says.

He also likes the idea of reserve team football as a means of keeping fit. Italian teams have no reserve leagues. Those players who do not get into the first team are left kicking their heels on the sidelines, hoping they get a chance in the first team for the following match.

"A reserves league is a good thing. It helps to keep the players fit and is good for those coming back from injuries. I like to score as many goals as I can in the reserves because it is a good habit."

The Italian would have been in with a chance of playing for Coventry City at Aston Villa on Saturday. Goals from the first team attack have dried up and he had hit three in three games before the game against Burnley.

Now he faces several weeks under treatment and time could be running out on his chances of a run in the Premiership.