Hughes earns Coventry respect

Hughes got off to a flying start with the opening goal

Striker Lee Hughes could not hide his relief at scoring on his Coventry debut following his £5m move from West Brom.

Hughes scored the opening goal as the Sky Blues beat Stockport 2-0.

"To score here on my debut is a real relief," said Hughes.

"It takes such a lot of pressure off me now that I've got off the mark and now I just have to continue that."

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan praised Hughes' overall contribution.

"Lee has made himself an instant hero with the fans - and more importantly has earned the instant respect from his team-mates," said Strachan.

I had a smile on my face when Coventry sold John Hartson but when I heard about Hughes I was not too pleased

Stockport boss Andy Kilner

"It is not necessarily for his scoring, we all knew about that, but his team play and work-rate were absolutely fantastic.

"I would have signed him if we were still in the Premiership."

David Thompson scored Coventry's second at Stockport, whose manager Andy Kilner believes Coventry can get back into the Premiership at the first attempt.

Kilner wants more from his strikers

"I think they have got what it takes to be a success in the First Division," said Kilner.

"They have got the physical presence, they have got the talent and they have got the striker.

"I had a smile on my face when Coventry sold John Hartson but when I heard about Hughes I was not too pleased.

"Coventry's objective is to get back in the Premiership and they can spend money to make that happen."

He added: "Our objective is to be in the First Division at the beginning of next season.

"This was a particularly tough start, one which I would not have chosen, but I still expect a lot more from my three strikers, who were disappointing."