Robins namechecks six Bristol City players in Stoke City warning

The Robins are set to travel to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday as they look to secure their first win in four games since the international break. Michael Skubala's side have lost both of their last two matches, against Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United.

Unlike City, Stoke are in the midst of what has been a positive run of results. The Potters sit sixth in the Championship table, 10 places and five points clear of the Reds, having won six of their last eight league games. Robins' side most recently got the better of Derby County, last time out.

On paper and based on form, the hosts will be viewed by most as favourites coming into this weekend's clash. While Robins believes his squad have what it takes to justify such a tag, at their best, he has been quick to highlight the threats within Skubala's side.

"They've got really, really good players in the team," the Potters boss told BBC Radio Stoke on Thursday. "That is a team that has sort of been gradually put together; they lose players, and then they bring some more in to try and develop and sell.

"That's their model, but they're a side that have been - and can be - really, really good on the attack. They don't mess about necessarily; they try and get the ball forward. They've got strong runners, players that can create and score goals. They're aggressive, and they're big at the back.

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"Luke McNally's come back now, who everyone knows. He's well known to these parts and to me," Robins added, referencing McNally's time on loan at the bet365 Stadium and Coventry, when the Stoke boss was in charge of the Sky Blues. "He's come back, and thankfully, he's recovered from that horrific injury he sustained last year.

"He'll make a difference for them. Rob Atkinson's there, Rob Dickie's there still, so they've got some really good players, and that's just the defence.

"Up front, in midfield, they've got some talented players. Jason Knight is still there and performing to a high level, but I think their experience and know-how is there for everybody to see.

"Lorent Tolaj coming in, who has been injured for the last few games, but expected to come back at the weekend. He works his socks off and really, wherever you look, they've got threats.

"Scott Twine's still there; he's very good, not only in terms of the dead-ball, but in general play. Some good players, some really interesting players, young players, young signings, and they'll present a challenge for us. There's no doubt about that.

"But it depends on us, what we can do, how good we can be, and we need, again, another performance of a high level to get anything from a game in the Championship. Bristol City is the next one, and we look forward to that."

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Depending on results elsewhere in the Championship, a win for Stoke this Saturday could be enough to propel the Potters as high as third in the Championship.

Robins' side could even move level on points with second-placed West Ham, depending on how the Irons fare against Southampton.

For City, three points at the bet365 Stadium could prove to be enough to move level with the play-off places. Should their winless run be extended, however, they will have to wait another week, until next Saturday's trip to Bolton Wanderers, for a chance to get back to winning ways.