Dan Bentley is using his Premier League experience to support Coventry City's young goalkeeper Carl Rushworth as the club fights to stay in the division. The 33-year-old, who joined the club this summer after three-and-a-half years with Wolves, is the older statesman in a goalkeeping group that also includes Ben Wilson and coach Sal Bibbo.

He sees his role as providing daily guidance to help the squad adapt to the top flight after a 25-year absence. Coventry currently sit 19th in the Premier League with six points from eight matches, having lost their last two games.

Early season context

Frank Lampard's side have had a mixed start to life back in the Premier League. They recorded important wins against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United either side of the international break, part of a recent run of two wins and three defeats. Those victories are the only points they have taken so far, leaving them 15 points behind leaders Manchester City. The team has scored six goals but conceded 15, underlining the challenge at both ends of the pitch.

Bentley believes the group is now better set after getting to grips with the league over August and September. He tries to keep the lads level-headed and pointed to a respectable performance away at Manchester City as evidence they can compete. The goalkeeper stressed that respect is most important in his relationship with Rushworth, and he aims to push the 25-year-old to improve every day.

Guiding Rushworth

Carl Rushworth is one of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in the country and has fast-tracked himself to the Premier League. Bentley said he gives Rushworth all the advice he needs and that they gelled quickly in how they operate together. He had a chat with the first-choice keeper before the Forest game, which Rushworth later thanked him for, and Bentley added they get on really well as mates off the pitch. He described Rushworth as a top goalkeeper with a very bright future ahead.

Bentley is one of the few Coventry players with previous Premier League experience, and he is committed to passing that knowledge on a daily and weekly basis. The club marked its return to the top flight with stadium sponsor celebrations that included a throwback time capsule from the year 2001. Coventry City will look to end a two-game losing streak when they host Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 31 October.

The original report is at ealingtimes.co.uk