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Joe Cole has confirmed he’s set to leave Coventry City to join Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida but could be back at the Ricoh Arena in the Autumn.

The former England star has decided to join the North American Soccer League side whose season recently got underway but told Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray that he’d seriously consider returning on loan in October when the Rowdies’ campaign comes to an end.

Cole and Mowbray clearly get on well and although it took the 34-year-old time to get back up to speed after joining City from Aston Villa, his influence on the pitch has been there for all to see in recent weeks.

“Joe’s going to join Tampa Bay and it might happen pretty quickly if he can get international clearance etc,” said Mowbray of the out-of-contract midfielder who would have had a deal on the table for next season had he opted to stay in the UK.

“I would have liked to have kept Joe who I think has proven his fitness and worth to the team. He’s a fantastic character around our building – no airs and graces, not looking for favours or extra days off.

“He’s a top guy and he has shown his football ability. It’s come probably a little bit late in the day that I have felt as if I could trust him to play in the centre of midfield alongside John Fleck and not worry too much about having a combative Vincelot-type character breaking it up and winning headers.

“I think Joe can help us control football matches but he’s made his decision for his family, I think, and we wish him well because he’s been fantastic for our dressing room and this football club.”

As for a possible return next season, Mowbray revealed: “He’s indicated to me that when their season finishes in October that he might come back here because there’s a window of opportunity for him to come back on loan.

“I said that would be great but it will be dependent on how many loans we have got at that time, of course, so let’s see what happens.

“It could be October to February. Let’s wait and see how he does, if he stays fit.”

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Watch Joe Cole at his press conference in October