Frank Lampard explains why Norman Bassette has been absent from his Sky Blues squad in recent matches

Frank Lampard has shed a bit of light on Norman Bassette’s absence from Coventry City’s matchday squad in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old striker didn’t feature in the final two pre-season friendlies against Real Betis and St Pauli, and was again conspicuous by his absence from the 20-man squad for Saturday’s Championship opener against Hull.

The Belgian has not played since the 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers last month, while there have been reports that he could be farmed out on loan to Dutch top flight side Utrecht, with European journalist and transfer specialist Sacha Tavolieri claiming the two clubs have been in talks over a potential loan move with an option to buy amid interest from Standard Liege.

Asked if Bassette is injured, City’s head coach simply answered: “No.”

As for whether last summer’s signing from French club Caen could be on his way out of the club on loan or otherwise, Lampard admitted: “I don’t know.”

Bassette burst onto the Sky Blues scene late in last year’s summer window, going on to excite fans with some eye-catching displays, particularly under Mark Robins. He made 30 appearances in all over the course of the season, including over half of those under Lampard.

Going some way to explaining his absence, he added: “I have to pick the squad. There was no Justin (Obikwu) and no Kai (Andrews). I pick the squad on training, on the level of training and how hard you work and how you are every day, and the quality.

“Quality is the first thing but then the level of training is the second thing, or alongside it. I have to pick a squad on that – I’m talking generally here.”