By Jon Colman

Last updated at 12:06, Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Gary Madine could make his debut for Coventry tonight after Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman described his new loan signing as a star of the future.

Gary Madine in action at Morecambe

The Carlisle United frontman, who has joined the Ricoh Arena outfit on a three-month loan deal, has been added to the Sky Blues squad for tonight’s Championship trip to Cardiff.

It is understood Madine impressed Coleman in his first training session in the West Midlands yesterday and the 19-year-old could be on the bench in Wales tonight.

His shock loan switch – first revealed in The Cumberland News last Friday – was greeted by Coleman as a potentially exciting signing for the Sky Blues.

He said: “Gary is not the finished article but we believe there is the potential there for him to have a good future in the game. We wanted to have a good look at him, and him to have a good look at us, and this is the perfect chance to do that.”

United manager Greg Abbott confirmed that Madine could make a permanent move to Coventry in January if he impresses.

It is likely the Cumbrians would demand a six-figure fee for the Gateshead-born striker, who is under contract until the summer of 2011.

Abbott added: “I couldn’t guarantee Gary games at the moment, so if he goes there and does well, he can carve out a move for himself.”

Asked why a Championship club were prepared to take a chance on Madine whilst the player had not been deemed worthy of a regular place in the side by Abbott, the manager replied: “Generally, players we have let go have not come back to hurt us. Let’s see what Gary does – that will tell us whether we are right or wrong in what we are doing with him.”

Impressive new youth striker Mani Richardson has signed a deal that keeps him with the Blues until the end of the season.

Eric Kinder’s under-18 side will go to Accrington Stanley in the FA Youth Cup first round on Wednesday, November 4.

First published at 11:37, Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk