CHRIS Stokes plans to throw his all into remaining a League One player after his ‘whirlwind’ move to Coventry City.

A day after sealing a month-long loan to the Sky Blues from Conference Premier Forest Green Rovers, the 23-year-old left-back, from Trowbridge, was thrust straight into the thick of the action as he started for Coventry in their 2-2 draw at Sheffield United last Saturday.

Stokes’ swift Sky Blues bow signals the end of a period where the former Bolton Wanderers trainee reportedly garnered interest from Newport County and Stevenage, as well as being offered a contract by Yeovil Town.

But after linking up with former Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday, who was this week appointed joint-caretaker manager following Steven Pressley’s sacking, Stokes is eyeing a long-term future in the Football League.

“It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind. I found out my loan had been agreed on Friday and had to rush over to Forest Green to sign the forms and then I got another call to say I was in the squad for Saturday and had to get up to Coventry,” the new boy, who was handed the number 30 shirt, told the Wiltshire Times.

“I didn’t expect to start on Saturday but I don’t think I did badly at all. I didn’t feel out of my depth but I cramped up and had to come off because I’ve only played 90 minutes a few times in the last two months.

“I’m full-time but my contract is up at the end of the season, so I had to start planning for the worst-case scenario – if you drop down from the Conference, you have to go out and get a job.

“I knew that I had to get away from Forest Green to play some games. Yeovil offered me a deal but I couldn’t agree personal terms there and then Dave Hockaday recommended me to Coventry.

“I’m really happy to be there because it’s a huge club. I’ve grown up with football and I remember Coventry being in the Premier League when I was younger.

“The best-case scenario is that I get my loan extended to the end of the season and then sign a contract here – I’m looking forward to working hard and trying to make it happen.”

Stokes, who also had a brief loan spell at Crewe Alexandra in 2010, has made more than 130 appearances for Forest Green and has also been capped by the England C team.