Mark Robins will have a couple of new faces in his Stoke City squad for the next gameMark Robins has brought in 11 new signings this summer.Mark Robins has brought in 11 new signings this summer.

Lamine Cisse and new signing Tomas Rigo are hoping to come into contention when Stoke City next line up in the Championship.

Cisse is stepping up his training after joining with a minor shoulder injury while Rigo is ready to go after completing a protracted transfer from Banik Ostrava.

There are other new signings who are hoping they can do enough in training or in international appearances over the next few days to come into Mark Robins’ starting XI plans, including centre-backs Maksym Talovierov and Ashley Phillips, midfielder Jamie Donley and striker Robert Bozenik. Steven Nzonzi and Sam Gallagher are hoping to be in contention soon too.

Robins will be weighing up his best side for the different challenges Stoke will face from week to week in the Championship. They won their first three games against Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton before being edged out by West Brom last Saturday.

They return to action on Saturday, September 13 against Birmingham City at the bet365 Stadium. Newly-promoted Birmingham have won two and drawn one of their opening four games and like to see themselves as a possession-based side.

Either way, there are options for Robins to consider in most positions. It will be interesting to see over the next few months who emerges as first choice in defence, midfield and attack or if the manager finds a way to spread out game time.

Our selection widget is live for you to put yourself in Robins’ trainers and pick the best side for any given game when everyone is fit and available. What would you change? Let us know in the comments section.

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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.

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