The Sky Blues Academy graduate has made 21 league starts to date amongst 33 appearances in all competitions, including two Carabao Cup showings against Premier League opposition in Sheffield United and West Ham. As well as developing his game with regular and hugely competitive men’s football, Burroughs has also learned a few life lessons along the way, not least how fragile it is after writing his off his car on the motorway and walking away from the crumpled wreckage largely unscathed, aside from a bit of whiplash.

He’s also come face to face with exciting January signing Ephron Mason-Clark from Peterborough, getting a first hand taste of things to come when they were pitted against each other in the league.

The player, who turned 23 this week, took some time to consider his development to date and talked to CoventryLive about his goals for the rest of the season and what he expects to happen when he rejoins the Sky Blue team in the summer.

He expressed his satisfaction with the way things are going, saying, “Especially at the beginning of the season when I was racking up a serious amount of games.” “I have experienced a few setbacks and injuries that have limited my performance in recent weeks, but I would have been thrilled to hear at the beginning of the season that I would have played 33 games by March. Since I’ve been having so much fun with it as well,

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Taking time to reflect on his progress so far, the player, who celebrated his 23rd birthday this week, spoke to CoventryLive about his hopes for the remainder of this season, and what lies ahead when he returns to the Sky Blue fold in the summer.

“I’m really pleased with how it’s going, especially at the start of the season when I was racking up a serious amount of games,” he said. “I have had a couple of injuries and things that have hindered my numbers in recent weeks, but if I had been told at the start of the season that I’d have played 33 games by March, I would have been delighted. I have been really enjoying it as well, so I have got no complaints at all.”

Lincoln are currently sitting pretty in seventh place, two points off Oxford United in sixth spot and 10 away from fourth and fifth placed Peterborough and Barnsley on 71.

A versatile player, Burroughs has tended to play as a wing-back for the Sky Blues but grew up as a box-to-box midfielder and can play anywhere across the midfield or on either flank. He made 14 appearances for Coventry last season as he attempted to bridge the gap from development football to the first team.

And a season-long loan move appears to have provided the perfect platform to continue his progress and push to be a fully fledged senior, while also pinning him down in a regular position.

“For the majority of the time I have started at left wing-back, and pretty much rotate between there and on the right,” he said of his spell at Sincil Bank.

“I played centre-back for one of the cup games, which was unfamiliar but I enjoyed it, and the last couple of appearances I have played in the centre of midfield, so no different to previously; here, there and everywhere. But I seem to be more settled at left wing-back which I have tried to make my own.”

So does he think that will be his position moving forwards? “Going off recent years, it seems to have suited me well and I have done well in that position,” he said. “I grew up playing in midfield and may move back into the middle of the park at some stage. But for now, I think wing-back seems to be serving me well so it makes sense to stick with it.”

Asked if he had to pin down his favourite or preferred position, he added: “I did enjoy the box-to-box game when I was growing up, being involved in the thick of the play, attacking and defending, but I think that as my game has developed over the years, especially last year, the change of system to wing-back really suited me. That helped me in terms of getting game time at Cov and then moving to Lincoln they play with wing-backs as well. But I don’t necessarily have a preferred position. I just want to be on the pitch, wherever I am playing.”

One of his standout qualities is his pace – a much sought after attribute for many managers.

“Yes, and it comes in handy if I ever get caught out of position because it means I can get back quickly. But it’s good to have going forward and tracking back, and it means it doesn’t matter who you come up against you don’t really fear anyone’s pace, especially wingers. And there are a few rapid ones in League One as well.”

One of those is, of course, Ephron Mason-Clark, who signed for the Sky Blues in January and was immediately loaned back to Posh for the remainder of the season.

“I have played against him a couple of times and started against him in the away game at Peterborough when we were right up against each other, actually,” revealed Burroughs. “He was playing on the left wing and I was playing right wing-back, so it was interesting. He’s a good player, let’s just say that!”

He added: “I like to think I did as well against him as he did against me, but they won the game 2-0 in the end. We both got the better of each other at times and but he didn’t score that day. But he’s an exciting player. He’s rapid, skilful and got goals in him, and Peterborough are flying at the moment so I am sure he will be a welcome addition to the squad next year.”

Since Burroughs has been away Coventry have changed formation, with Mark Robins appearing to favour a back four and wide men in a 4-2-3-1 when everyone is fit. So where does he see himself fitting in, at full-back or on the wing?

“For me, it would be either or,” he said. “For the under-21s I played a lot out wide and in midfield, but I think I have attributes to be able to suit both. I feel I have improved quite a lot during my time at Lincoln, so I will probably be best suited to full-back because I have improved the defensive side of my game.

“It’s going to be tough at Coventry where Tatsu (Sakamoto) and Haji (Wright) have done brilliantly on the wings, and I doubt if I’d be able to knock them out of those positions when they’re fully fit. It will be interesting to see when I come back for pre-season where the gaffer sees me fitting in, but wherever it is I will be up for the challenge. I like to think I can prove myself wherever it is.”

As for how much he feels his game has improved and developed, he said: “I think the one thing I struggled with before the season started was the fact that I had never been somewhere and had that week in and week out experience for a prolonged period of time. I had been to Ross County on loan before and played a few games there (18), and played a few for Cov last year but it was never Saturday/Tuesday/Saturday/Tuesday. And I have had that in abundance this year, played lots of games and minutes against some really good teams in a really competitive league, and hopefully I have shown that when I get a good run of games that I can perform at a really good level.

“There have been some really challenging games along he way. We played against Sheffield United (beating them on penalties) and West Ham (losing 1-0) in the Carabao Cup, so those are a couple of experiences I will take back with me, playing against teams of that calibre. Hopefully I have honed all aspects of my game, both going forward and defensively, so it’s been really beneficial for me.”

He added: “Last year I wanted to stay and do my bit for the Coventry team but opportunities were not very frequent at times, so for me it was a case of going somewhere that I knew if I could perform well then I would get game time, and thankfully I have had that here. I have played under two managers this season and had the trust from both of them, so it’s been really beneficial for me.”

It’s often said that players need a bit of luck in football, particularly when trying to break through; getting a break at the right time and place and taking full advantage of the opportunity.

“Everyone needs a bit of luck in football,” he agreed, “but you have to create your own luck as well by the hard work you put in. Opportunities were few and far between for me last year but I got a chance in the Watford game and then had a little run around Christmas when I was thrown in, and I like to think I did well and that hopefully helped me get this loan. It’s tough when you’re not in the team because when an opportunity does come, all of a sudden you have to perform.”

On the subject of luck, Burroughs admits he had a couple of sleepless nights reflecting on what might have been following a frightening road accident which left his car unrecognisable.

“It was just before New Year and I was driving back to Lincoln on a really wet night and I aquaplaned on a massive puddle and lost control of my car and hit the central reservation. Fortunately I didn’t get seriously hurt. I had a sore neck for a few days but it was just the car that was a bit worse for wear, so I am thankful for that. And I only missed one game because of it.”

He added: “It certainly wasn’t an enjoyable experience but thankfully it wasn’t too serious and no-one else was involved. I had a couple of restless nights after it and I am thankful more than anything that it wasn’t worse. But it taught me to always concentrate as much as I can when driving, especially in wet weather. You can’t take anything for granted when you’re driving, can you?”

Nothing can be taken for granted in football either, and once Burroughs’ season is over with Lincoln his attention will turn to pre-season and trying to stamp his mark at Coventry, following in the footsteps of fellow Cov Kid and good friend Josh Eccles – a player who broke through at wing-back and gradually moved inside to his natural position.

“I think Josh has done well wherever he has been asked to play,” said the player, whose current contract runs until July 2025, “and I would like to do the same by going out there and proving I can play at the level and push on with my football next year. The higher you go up the more difficult it is but he’s proved it’s possible and you just try to follow in his footsteps.

“It’s a big challenge but the challenge you want because we all want to play at the highest level we can. And for me being a Cov lad, I want it to be at Coventry. So I am really looking forward to going back in pre-season and trying it out.”

He added: “It’s almost like a clean slate really. I know I have been there before but after being away for a year it’s an opportunity to show how I have developed as a player and a person. I feel I was a man before but hopefully they will see that I am even more of a man now, even more confident and vocal on the pitch. Hopefully that’s one thing they will notice, how much more vocal I am in games and hopefully this experience will hold me in good stead. There is usually lots of games in pre-season and hopefully I can show what I can do.”

Asked if he’s spoken to Mark Robins during his time away, he said: “We have talks every couple of months to see how it’s going and the club obviously keep tabs on how I am doing. They watch clips of my games and keep in contact and he seems to be happy with how I am doing so far.”

Nothing is guaranteed in the game but one thing is for sure, Burroughs has proved he can perform in League One on a consistent basis, which should provide a platform on which to build his career.

“This year has filled me with quite a lot of confidence,” he said. “Lincoln are a good team in this league and it has shown me that I can play at this level as a minimum. I hope it works out at Cov for me but if it doesn’t, I like to think that I will be all right and make a career in the game.”