Coventry City released list of two key stars to miss clash as Mark Robins prepares squad for season opener against Stoke

Ben Sheaf and summer signing Raphael will miss Coventry City’s big opening day of the Championship season at Stoke this weekend.

The influential Sky Blues midfielder is currently nursing a an ankle injury, limping off just minutes after going on midway through the second half against Stevenage in last month’s pre-season friendly agaisnt the League One club.

That forced him to sit out the three warm-up games against Darmstadt, Everton and Werder Bremen and now Saturday’s trip to the bet365 Stadium where Josh Eccles, Victor Torp and Jamie Allen are among those vying for the holding midfield roles.

Speaking at his first pre-match press conference of the new campaign, manager Mark Robins confirmed the captain-elect’s absence from his squad to face the Potters.

“We’re still waiting on those two who will be missing tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll see them back soon.”

Winger Raphael, meanwhile, has missed most of the pre-season with a thigh strain, having only featured in a behind-closed-doors match against Port Vale in early July.