Viktor’s a marked man says Robins

COVENTRY CITY boss Mark Robins knows he has his work cut out to hang on to star man Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swedish striker bagged his 17th goal of a fine league season, but it was not enough to do the double over the Potters.

Midfielder Sam Clucas bagged an equaliser for the hosts to share the points.

But Robins knows that goals are worth their weight in gold – and it’s likely that Gyokeres, 23, has attracted admirers.

“I’ve got to plan to have him here next season,” said Robins.

“There will always be a lot of speculation but I’ve heard zero at this time.

“But you just never know, there’s always interest when players are doing well.

“What we do in terms of recruitment in the summer is absolutely crucial. We feel like we’re not too far away from the play-offs.”

Gyokeres rifled the Sky Blues ahead with an exquisite angled 14th-minute finish, then wasted a great chance to double the lead

STOKE COVENTRY...1 moments later when he dragged a shot wide.

But Clucas netted his first goal since August last year, a fine finish into the bottom right corner.

Stoke keeper Josef Bursik thwarted Callum O’Hare with a sublime fingertip save, while at the other end Nick Powell had a longrange shot tipped over the bar by Coventry stopper Ben Wilson.

“We are outstanding, especially in the first half,” said Robins.

“But we should have been out of sight, it’s been the story of our season.”

Potters assistant manager Dean Holden said: “They were miles the better team. We were fortunate to get the draw.”

STOKE: Bursik 7; Harwood-Bellis 6 (Chester (70th) 5), Jagielka 7, Fox 6; Allen 6; Sparrow 6, Baker 6, Clucas 7 (Wright-Phillips (68th) 5), Tymon 7; Brown 7, Powell 7 (Sawyers 83rd)

COVENTRY: Wilson 6; Hyam 6, McFadzean 6, Clarke-Salter 6; Eccles 5 (Kane (35th) 6), Allen 7, Kelly 7, Maatsen 7; O’Hare 6 (Godden 76th), Shipley 7 (Jones (69th) 5); Gyokeres 8

STAR MAN: Viktor Gyokeres

REF: G Ward