Former Coventry City player Noel Whelan said that the club’s strong form under boss Frank Lampard at the conclusion of last season will provide the backbone for a successful Championship campaign.

The Sky Blues were in 17th place when Lampard took the reigns following the departure of previous boss Mark Robins but finished in fifth, losing out on promotion in the play-off semi-finals to eventual winners Sunderland.

“The way they finished the season, it wasn’t the silver lining they wanted after that really good push under Frank when he came to the club. They will want to carry on that form,” Whelan told BBC Radio CWR.

“He’s got a full preseason with them, new faces will come into the club which always lifts people’s spirits and makes them push that little bit harder.

“I think Coventry will be quite happy with what they did at the back end of last season and know they’ve got enough players, enough talent within that squad, with a few arrivals, to really push a good challenge to get automatic [promotion] this year.”

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.