"No doubt we do" – Mark Robins confirms Stoke City’s next big transfer priority

Mark Robins says Stoke will be trying to add more goals to the squad in the transfer market this summer.

City have been busy in the window so far, signing goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, centre back Luke Graham and midfielders Svante Ingelsson, Djibril Soumare and Ethan Galbraith.

Now adding firepower will be a priority as Robins looks to improve a team that finished 17th in the Championship last season.

Stoke scored 51 league goals last season so will have to improve on that if they are to challenge for promotion this time, even though the play-off places have been expanded to include teams finishing third to eighth.

Last season the lowest scorers in the top eight were Millwall with 64.

Asked how much work he feels still needs to be done in the window, the manager said: “We have a bit of work to do but I am not taking anything for granted because it is so expensive.

“Honestly, I am grateful for the help we get throughout the club.”

Asked whether he needs more goals in the squad he said: “It is still really early days but yes we do, no doubt.”

Stoke drew a blank when they were beaten 1-0 by Braga in ther opening pre-season friendly on Friday. That game was more about fitness than the result as the manager used the opportunity to give 23 players game time.

He started that game with Robert Bozenik up front supported by Tomas Rigo in an attacking midfield role with Million Manhoef and Sorba Thomas on the right and left wings respectively.

And he lined up in the second half with Milan Smit up front, Emre Tezgel playing just off the centre forward, and Sam Gallagher and Lamine Cisse playing wide right and left respectively.

Winger Ato Ampah got on for the last 15 minutes.

New signings Galbraith and Graham didn’t feature against Braga because they were being given more training time.

Stoke return to action at Crewe on Saturday in their first pre-season fixture in public.

Mark Robins then takes the squad to a training camp in Austria before they return for home friendlies, against Everton on Tuesday July 28, and Valencia on Saturday August 1.

That’s in preparation for the new season that kicks off with the Carabao Cup tie at home to Oldham on Saturday August 8 and the Championship opener at home to Swansea on August 15.

The transfer window is open, the rumours are flying, and everyone is talking about who Stoke City will sign and who they might sell.

Delivered daily straight into you email inbox, the bulletins will feature the latest Potters news, views, transfer gossip and opinion.

Every day, the Sentinel football desk strive to deliver news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Stoke City content.Our dedicated reporter Pete Smith - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows Stoke home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.

Facebook: You can follow our daily updates on our Facebook page, often featuring content we don't put anywhere else - click here

WhatsApp: You can also get all your favourite content from Stoke-on-TrentLive's City team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.App: If you prefer reading our Stoke stories on your phone, consider downloading the Stoke-on-TrentLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Stoke City as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.