Frank Lampard gave a special mention to “throwback” defender Liam Kitching after turning out to play for Coventry City , having stayed up most of Friday night with his wife in labour.

The Sky Blues defender was at his partner’s bedside rather than at the team hotel and when the baby still hadn’t arrived on Saturday morning he insisted on travelling to Derby to join his teammates, playing the full 90 minutes and helping them to a thrilling 5-3 victory at Pride Park.

It had been touch and go whether the 25-year-old would play, with Jake Bidwell on standby to fill in at centre-half.

“Yeah, I’ve got to give Kitch such a shout because he’s shooting off now to go and see his wife,” explained Lampard. “I think she’s hopefully going to have the baby today (Sat).

“Kitch is a throwback. I gav

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