Sky Blues boss Mark Robins confirmed yesterday that defender Leo Ostigard has returned to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 21-year-old has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and has gone back to Brighton to receive treatment in his recovery.
Leo made 40 appearances over the course of the season, scoring two goals with his second coming in an important 1-0 win over Rotherham United.
Following the end of his time with he Sky Blues, Robins thanked Ostigard for his commitment to the cause and wished him all the best in his future.
“Leo’s going to be out for a period of time, not too long but it means that he’ll miss the rest of the season which is disappointing for both parties. He’s done brilliantly for us and we thank him and Brighton for everything.
“He came in, travelled up from Brighton, which is just a mark of him and the fact that he’s really bought in to what we were doing this year.
“I’m really disappointed for everybody, but for him as well because I think the supporters would’ve loved him and he would be loved to have felt that appreciation as well.
“When he came in yesterday, he was upset at leaving, he drove all the way from Brighton just to say goodbye which was a mark of him, and he’s been brilliant just outstanding, and I thank him and wish him all the best for his future, and we obviously remain in contact.
“It’s been a tough one for him and a disappointing end, but he’s played his part in us achieving the objective of staying in the division.”
Another player who was injured in the same game as Leo at Stoke City was club captain Liam Kelly.
Kelly was forced off midway through the first half and the extent of his injury has been revealed, with Kelly expected to be out for up to three months.
“Liam is going to be a little bit longer, possibly three months or so. He’s popped the PCL, so posterior cruciate ligament and that’s going to take a bit of time but thankfully it’s not his ACL.
“He’s going to be in a knee brace for a while, and hopefully he can start pre-season training at the end of pre-season so he’s going to miss the start of the season if we agree to a new contract.”
In more promising news, young striker Fabio Tavares, who joined from Rochdale in January, has been drafted into the first team squad for today’s clash with Huddersfield Town.
Fabio scored a hat-trick against Cardiff City Under-23s in midweek and also created two assists in a superb performance and the strikers has been rewarded for his efforts.
“Fabio Tavares is going to come with us to Huddersfield. I think he’s performed pretty well, he scored a hat-trick the other day against Cardiff and has performed at a good level so he’ll come with us.
“He’s done well, he trained with us to start with and then I put him with the U23’s to have a uniform programme where he could get embedded into the club and he’s done that with Luke Tisdale.
“He’ll be involved in the squad and maybe I’ve got an eye to something else and the week afterwards and the final game at home we might just get a younger bench but like I said we’ll have a look afterwards.”