Mark Robins says he could not stand in Jonson Clarke-Harris' way when Bristol Rovers came calling in January.
The striker has been in sensational form since joining the Gas on transfer deadline day, netting nine goals in 11 matches.
It is a far cry from his form for Coventry, as he scored just five goals in 27 matches since moving to the Ricoh Arena in January 2018.
Robins says his squad is striker-heavy after they beat the Gas to Amadou Bakayoko last summer, and that he could not begrudge Clarke-Harris the move.
“He did everything we wanted him to do for us,” admitted Robins to Coventry Live.
“He was as at a stage of the season where you want to try to keep everyone but I can’t, and I can’t keep everyone happy.
“I had a lot of strikers and obviously Bakayoko needed a run of games and eight weeks out hadn’t helped him.
“And Jonno needed to play and I couldn’t promise that to him moving forward.
“That opportunity came up and it was too good for him to turn down.”
He added: “We had a conversation and I think he’s clearly happy with it because he’s settled down, which is great.
“But he did really well for us and did everything it said on the tin for us really.”
Coventry City boss Mark Robins admits pitch concerns ahead of Bristol Rovers game
Both Clarke-Harris and Abu Ogogo return to Coventry with the Gas on Sunday having departed the Sky Blues in January, and Robins says this side are well aware of how they have been performing since leaving.
“We have got Jonno coming back, and Abs too,” he said.
“We have got to try to keep Jonno out and hope that we can be as good as we were at Barnsley because if we can be as good as that in all the games then we’ll be all right for the rest of the season.
“We know Jonno is going to be right up for it and he’s going to be wanting to score and come back and do as well as he possibly can.
“He’s doing great there, scored a lot of goals and settled down, and I am pleased for him.”
