Mark Robins is looking forward to getting back into Championship action, following the most recent international break.
City head to Ashton Gate this weekend, their first fixture for two weeks, since a 1-1 draw with Norwich City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The Sky Blues go into the game four unbeaten in the league, following a positive end to the last segment of fixtures.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s fixture, Robins previewed the clash, as well as providing the latest update on his squad after two weeks.
Players using the international break…
“I think any players that have had injuries or knocks or anything like that can use that in a way that gets them closer to the to the starting eleven or the squad.
“That's what we try and do, we try and put those plans in place for them to maximise that and give us a maximum benefit for the players to achieve that, so nothing changes there.
“Everything remains as it is and thankfully we've got players that are starting to get closer and closer all the time.”
Players being away on international duty…
“Those are the challenges for every team. When you've got people away, then that changes the dynamic of the building and you're waiting for them to come back and you're always on tenterhooks hoping that they're going to come back in one piece and be available.
“We’ve got Joel that travels around the world and that's obviously a long distance that you've got to take into consideration as well. But he's done that before, and he played the last time he came back when he played against Hull on the Friday night.
“Yasin is ok, he came back in yesterday, having played both games and we'll see him again this morning as we sort of put the final touches to the prep, and then we'll be off down to Bristol later on.”
Coming up against Bristol City…
“We are picking up good performances and on the back of that some decent results of late so as you say, we’re four unbeaten and we go to a really tough place.
“They’re a high intensity pressing team with young players alongside some good experience within that, with Matty James and Rob Dickie, who’s come from QPR in the summer.
“They have a really good set of players that know what they're doing, and they've got some really good staff.
“Nigel is a top, top manager. He’s been in the game for a long, long time and had success wherever he's been and he's building a really exciting young team there.”
“He's had to change a lot of things. Obviously, similarly to us, they lost some players in the summer but he's brought in some players and done some really good business.
“Jason Knight coming in from Derby County is he's just of those but like I said he has a lot of experience and he's won the Division before with Leicester and managed at the top level and again as I said, he’s a top manager and he's really top bloke as well.”
Sold out away ends at Bristol City and Rotherham United…
“It's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. It is incredible.
“We're hoping that this weather comes down a little bit over the next few days so everyone can safely get there, that's for sure.
“There are not enough superlatives really to describe the support and the feeling you get from then and when you hear that 3000 will be at Bristol it’s incredible and again 2000 at Rotherham it’s incredible.
“I think the players obviously really enjoy that and the noise and I think it will be a really good atmosphere tomorrow.”
Update on Ben Sheaf…
“He had a bit of a setback early on in the week. But he's getting closer again.
“He has been out for five weeks now. I’m hoping that he's not going to be too far away from if I'm totally honest.”
Liam Kelly…
“He’s making small strides forward and he’s symptom free now so hopefully he can start to do some treadmill work next week but again, he's still a little bit away.”
Kasey Palmer…
“He's got some damage still but I'm hopeful that once that gets sorted out and looked at again today and they can maybe do something that can start to accelerate the healing process but he's still going to be a while.”
Callum O’Hare…
“Slowly but surely he'll be getting closer to where he wants to be and where we need him to be.
“Nothing's changed too dramatically, but he is getting a little bit closer all the time.
“I think really with Callum we're going to have to sort of use the first team games and the Under-21 games where we can and where it's sensible to do that.
“He still needs to play to be able to sort of bridge the gap really. He's probably ahead of where he should be, but the fact that he's worked really hard means that he is where he is.
“So, I've said before that I wouldn't try and put a date on it because it just puts him under unnecessary pressure.”
