Coventry City are preparing to boost their frontline with the signing of 19-year-old Tottenham Hotspur winger Yang Min-hyeok, who has been recalled from his term at Portsmouth.

It’s a decision that has surprised a few neutral Championship supporters, as well as Coventry fans, given that the Sky Blues have a wealth of skill out wide and are also set to sign Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse on loan for the remainder of the season.

It’s not that Coventry doesn’t require reinforcements. It’s widely known that teams require an extra attacking push to maintain a title charge after a successful start to the season, but with competition for slots fierce, there will undoubtedly be a few disappointed individuals left out on a regular basis.

According to Chris Wise, Tottenham returned Yang from Portsmouth because they were unhappy with the amount of game time he received at Fratton Park, and Coventry has promised greater minutes.

However, given the established brilliance in Frank Lampard’s squad, many doubt that promise will be kept between now and May.

Yang Min-hyeok may battle for more minutes at Coventry City than in Portsmouth.

Tottenham cut short Yang’s loan spell at Portsmouth due to a lack of playing time. During his stay at Fratton Park, the South Korean international started nine games, came off the bench six, and was an unused substitute eight times.

Understandably, that isn’t enough time for a 19-year-old to develop, and with three goals and an assist in that time against a Pompey frontline that has been blank for the bulk of the season, it’s evident that John Mousinho didn’t see Yang as a potential starter.

On the basis of things, a recall and move to another bottom-tier Championship or even top-tier League One team would have been prudent this January to guarantee that the wideman received enough game time to satisfy Tottenham.

However, moving to the top of the second division, with 27 more points and 36 more goals than Portsmouth, is a step up rather than a drop down. That’s why it’s interesting that Coventry have supposedly guaranteed Tottenham that Yang will get more playing time.

To put it simply, Coventry have superior offensive alternatives out wide than Portsmouth, and if Spurs were dissatisfied with the 19-year-old’s minutes at Fratton Park, it’s difficult to imagine that they’ll be thrilled with his involvement at CBS Arena.

Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatushiro Sakamoto are already available to Frank Lampard, while Brandon Thomas-Asante, who is expected to return from a hamstring injury soon, can also play out wide.

In addition, Palace wideman Romain Esse is allegedly expected to join those ranks on loan.

The last time Championship fans saw the 20-year-old, he was the focal point of Millwall’s attack in the first half of last season, implying that he will play a significant role in the second half of this season as well.

Frank Lampard should do everything to help Coventry City earn promotion, regardless of Tottenham Hotspur’s guarantee.

Coventry have taken pride in their scary frontline this season, and the goal in January would have been to add to it with similar amounts of quality in order to sustain the outstanding scoring rate they established between August and now.

When the window closes, the Sky Blues will be in a straight race to the finish line in the promotion battle, with Frank Lampard selecting his best team week in and week out.

Granted, Yang has been a bit-part player in both his loan spells at QPR last season and Portsmouth this season, so it’s unfair to immediately suggest that he should be behind the likes of Sakamoto, Mason-Clark, and possibly Esse in the pecking order, as he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to make a lasting impact in the Championship.

Regardless of his effect, Sakamoto and Mason-Clark, in particular, are more deserving of those minutes right now, considering their contributions thus far in the campaign.

Coventry’s vow to give Yang more minutes than Portsmouth did in the second half of the season nearly elevates the 19-year-old above the other alternatives, suggesting that the Sky Blues must play him to satisfy the Premier League side.

Finally, Frank Lampard should and will do all possible to help his team win promotion.

If the increased rivalry causes Mason-Clark and Sakamoto to raise their already high standards and become unstoppable, Tottenham may be disappointed with yet another mediocre loan term for their talented 19-year-old wideman.