Mark Robins hopes to bring in new Coventry City players early in the transfer window for pre-season. Last summer, the Sky Blues manager was handicapped by a massive squad reconstruction, with 14 players leaving and ten new arrivals during three months of dealing. The majority of the new players did not arrive until the new season began.

The management had to rely on development squad players to fill gaps during the club’s Portuguese training camp and warm-up matches, preventing new players from settling in. As a result, City had another slow start to the 2023/24 season, as the newcomers were forced to gel in competitive league games.

But Robins understands that, despite good intentions, there are some circumstances outside the club’s control when it comes to securing top targets.

“We tried last year (to get players in early) but it’s the market, it’s agents and the players, individuals and where they are at,” he said. “If we’re purchasing, how about the selling club? They must be willing sellers, thus there are numerous requirements that make the process quite hard.

“So I’m not going to put anyone under any pressure, but yes, we need them as soon as possible, and if we can get them in for the first day of pre-season, that would be great – and I’m sure we’ll get some in – but I don’t think we’ll be able to get everyone in by then.

“I don’t believe we’ll have filled every post by then, and it could even be the start of the season, like it was this year. So it’s just what it is. We’re just at a better starting point now. But we shall look forward to it after we have rested.”

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