COVENTRY City apprentice Callum Wilson became the club's first ever player to win the League Football Education (LFE) scheme's Apprentice of the Month award this month.

The LFE Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence is taken by all Football League apprentices, involving work-based development by managing coaching session as well as completing an NVQ and BTEC qualification in sporting excellence.

Eighteen-year-old striker Callum, who is in the final year of his apprenticeship with the Coventry City youth academy, was the first of Coventry's apprentices to complete his NVQ in September 2009 with impressive work and is on target to complete the BTEC with merit profile.

He is also delivering practical coaching sessions at his old secondary school towards the Coaching certificate.

Wilson also capped off a superb 2009/10 season with an offer of a professional contract with the Sky Blues on Friday which will see him continue his training with the City first team under manager Chris Coleman at the club's main Ryton training facility from next season.

Academy manager Gregor Ricoh said: "Callum is a fantastic young lad and this award is just testament to his character and all the hard work his has had to put in to get to where he has got.

"He had an unfortunate start to his apprenticeship with two serious injuries which set his development back quite a bit but he has worked extremely hard to establish himself and in the last 12 months he has shown just how much he wants a career in football.

"Callum has approached not only his football but his studies and coaching responsibilities with a great deal of dedication and enthusiasm and we're all very proud of him."

In his first year as an apprentice the striker dislocated his shoulder in a game against Portsmouth's academy and rehabilitation meant he was away from the game for six months.

However, his physiotherapist was delighted with his dedication to the task and he returned to the fray in late March 2009, playing up front, leading the line well and scoring goals for the Sky Blues Under 18s squad.

In August 2009, he made his first team debut against Hartlepool United in the League Cup but in early October 2009 a second stroke of bad luck against Portsmouth in another Academy game forced Callum out for six weeks with a broken ankle.

Fortunately he made great strides in both his education and football development and has also maintained his regular scoring form for Rioch's side.

Callum said: "It's brilliant to win this award because you suffer a couple of serious injuries during a time when you have to impress and you think your chance has gone.

"I'm glad to have stuck at it because it has been hard work but it has all definitely been worth it."

Callum will be presented with his Apprentice of the Month award during half time of tonight's clash with Cardiff City.

Also check out the exclusive full video interview with Callum and academy manager Gregor Rioch on Sky Blues Player NOW!!!

Just go to www.ccfc.co.uk/player