MARK Robins is targeting promotion as Coventry City prepare for their Championship season opener against Stoke City this weekend.

The Sky Blues ended pre-season with a 2-1 home defeat against Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in which new signing Brandon Thomas-Asante made his debut.

And after Coventry finished nine points outside of the play-off places last season, City boss Robins insists promotion is the club's aim this term.

Robins said: "You've got to aim for promotion.

There's no point hiding away from it.

You've got to grasp is the we can aim there and if we aim and hit it, happy days.

If we don't get there, we're still aiming for it and we're getting closer.

"There is no divine right to get promoted.

Everyone want to do it.

We just have to put things in the right order so that we are capable of doing that.

That is the pathway that we are on.

" It has been another busy summer transfer window for the Sky Blues as defender Luis Binks made his loan move permanent while Swedish goalkeeper Oliver Dovin looks set to be the club's number one this term.

And the arrivals of Jack Rudoni and Thomas-Asante, the latter joining from Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion, have further boosted the club's attacking options.

Despite losing influential midfielder Callum O'Hare on a free transfer, after he refused to sign a new deal with the club, there is plenty of optimism around the Coventry Building Society Arena ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.

Coventry travel to Stoke on Saturday, August 10 with kick-off at 12.

30pm at the bet365 Stadium.

.