The Coventry manager expressed uncertainty over the midfielder’s condition but suggested the issue may have been linked to accumulated fatigue and the earlier knock.

“I’m not sure. I think it’s a lot of fatigue and maybe a bit of a knock. He was struggling a bit, so he had to come off,” Lampard told CoventryLive after the match.

Onyeka has quickly established himself as an influential presence in Coventry’s midfield since his arrival, starting four consecutive matches and forming a central partnership with club captain Matt Grimes.

Lampard admitted he had weighed the physical demands before selecting the Nigerian against Stoke, but ultimately opted to rely on his growing impact within the team.

“There was a question about playing him, probably, physically, but the influence that he’s had so far meant that he started the game,” the former England midfielder said.

Coventry travel to Bristol City buoyed by successive away victories against West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United, results that have revived their promotion push after a difficult run on the road earlier in the season. Should Onyeka recover in time, he is expected to continue alongside Grimes in midfield as Lampard maintains a largely settled starting eleven for the crucial Championship encounter.