After securing a top-half finish in the Championship last season, Mark Robins will be hoping to itch Coventry City closer to the play-off places in the 2022-23 campaign.
Robins is set to take charge of his sixth full season with the Sky Blues after taking the reins in March 2017.
Having secured promotion from League Two and League One, Coventry City fans will be dreaming of a Premier League return under Robins after finishing 12th last season.
The Coventry Building Society Arena side haven’t been in the top-flight since their relegation in 2000-01 under Gordan Strachan.
However, after 23 years Nottingham Forest returned to the big time after clinching promotion via the play-offs last season.
The Sky Blues kick off their 2022-23 Championship campaign with a trip to the Stadium of Light to face newly-promoted Sunderland on Sunday, 31 July.
HITC Sport takes a look at how Coventry City could line-up for the clash against the Black Cats.
How Coventry City could line-up against Sunderland
With Simon Moore likely to remain Robins’ number one, the 31-year-old, who joined Coventry City from Sheffield United last summer, is likely to have a new-look backline in front of him.
With last season’s Chelsea loanees Jake Clarke-Salter and Ian Maatsen already joining Queens Park Rangers and Burnley on loan respectfully this campaign, Coventry have had to look elsewhere in the summer window.
Partnering Dominic Hyam in the heart of Coventry’s defence could well be Callum Doyle and Jonathan Panzo who arrive on loan from Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
Doyle, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland, was part of England’s Under-19s European Championship winning side and the 18-year-old who can also play at left-back scored in the 3-1 final win against Israel.
Panzo, who won the Under-17 World Cup with England, joined Forest in January from French side Dijon and started one Championship game under Steve Cooper.
The five-time England Under-21 international who started his career with Chelsea before moving to Monaco has joined Coventry on a season-long loan like Doyle.
Former Chelsea youngster Fankaty Dabo will likely retain the right wing-back spot but Robins is tasked with finding a replacement for Maatsen who impressed on the left for Coventry last season.
If the Sky Blues are interested in signing another talented attack-minded left-back who is coming through the ranks at a top Premier League club then they should target Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez.
The former Real Madrid starlet is expected to leave Old Trafford on loan this season and like Maatsen, the young Spaniard could prove to be another impressive signing who seemingly slots straight into Robins’ side.
Gustavo Hamer had a very impressive campaign for the Sky Blues last season. From 39 Championship appearances, the 25-year-old scored three goals and provided ten assists.
Entering his third season in English football, Coventry’s number 38 is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after midfielders in the second tier.
Kasey Palmer’s arrival on a free transfer from Bristol City could result in the likes of Ben Sheaf and Jamie Allen not appearing as frequently.
Another player who was a product of the Chelsea academy, the one-time Jamaica international will bring creativity, guile and quality to Robins’ midfield.
Taking up an attacking midfielder role will likely be Callum O’Hare who contributed five goals and eight assists in the Championship last season.
The 24-year-old has struck up a good understanding and partnership with forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Matt Godden.
Godden scored 12 Championship goals last season while former Brighton & Hove Albion man and seven-time Sweden international Gyokeres scored 17 league goals in his maiden campaign with the Sky Blues.
The 24-year-old will no doubt be hoping to break the 20-goal barrier next season and if Coventry manage to keep hold of their main man they could have a fighting chance of securing a play-off spot.
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