Kevin Kyle has struggled to break into the first-team picture at Coventry

Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle believes his lack of first-team opportunities at the Ricoh are down to financial reasons.

Kyle, 27, on loan with Hartlepool United, suspects City boss Chris Coleman has allowed him to leave to avoid triggering a contract clause.

"If I play 50 games, Sunderland get a lump sum of money," he told BBC Tees.

"I've played 47, so that's probably why I'm not getting a sniff but the manager might argue differently."

Sunderland allowed the Scottish international to move to the Midlands for an initial fee of �600,000, plus add-ons, in July 2006.

But the forward fell out of favour and, having been sent off twice in three games, he was allowed out to Coventry's West Midland Championship neighbours Wolves as a January loan signing.

But, while he was at Molineux, Iain Dowie was sacked as Coventry manager.

Since returning to the Ricoh when his Wolves loan expired in April, he has still not figured under Coleman.

And Kyle admitted it was an easy decision both on and off the field to make a return to the North-East to link up with Danny Wilson's Pools after two miserable seasons in the West Midlands.

"Just to be back is good," said Kyle, who now hopes to figure in a Pools shirt for the first time against Swindon Town on Friday night.

"I've got a lot of friends and connections here, and my little boy from a previous relationship so it saves me running around to pick him up.

"I'm just glad to be here and to get the opportunity to play football. I said to Danny Wilson I'd like to make it to January.

"That would give me a right good few games under my belt and allow Hartlepool to climb up the table.

"I'm looking forward to training and I'm really excited about the game tomorrow night."