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Coventry City completed their pre-season preparations ahead of their return to the Premier League in style with a fine win against Monaco, with first-half goals from Ellis Simms and new signing Loum Tchaouna. As attention now turns to the Sky Blues' eagerly anticipated return to the top flight, for the first time in 25 years, what has been learnt in pre-season ahead of the big return? The positive impact of Carl Rushworth It's fair to say that the permanent signing of Carl Rushworth from Brighton is a massive boost ahead of the new season. Rushworth, who featured for the Sky Blues last season while on loan from the Seagulls, won the Championship Golden Glove Award after keeping 17 clean sheets for the Sky Blues, andbrings an air of calmness and stability to the side, already building rapport with his teammates and fans alike. His saves in the recent 3-1 win against Espanyol and a clean sheet in the Monaco win underline why Manager Frank Lampard wanted to sign him. Thomas and Amenda are forging a good partnership, but more work is needed. In selecting Bobby Thomas and new signing Aurèle Amenda, Lampard appears to have made up his mind on his first-choice pairing ahead of the new season. Both performed solidly in pre-season. Amenda has top-flight experience for Eintracht Frankfurt, as well as international experience with Switzerland. He is a towering presence and an aerial threat, shown after his headed goal in the 2-0 win was disallowed by the Assistant Referee for offside. Thomas possesses similar qualities, and Saturday’s clean sheet is partly a reflection of their performance and the defence as a whole. However, Lampard will know that further reinforcements are needed. Fikayo Tomori has reportedly been made available for transfer by Serie A side AC Milan and, having played under Lampard at Chelsea, he may relish the opportunity to reunite with him. The one stumbling block could be wages, but a loan move may be an option the Sky Blues consider. While the club have plenty of centre-back options in reserve, the lack of top-flight experience remains a concern. Joel Latibeaudiere, Luke Woolfenden and Liam Kitching have made just 20 Premier League appearances between them. Thomas is not vastly more experienced at that level, but featured 33 times during the club's successful return to the Premier League, contributing three goals and four assists in an impressive campaign. Left back is another position Lampard may consider strengthening. Jay DaSilva will surely start and had an impressive season last year making 42 appearances and representing Wales in international Football. Jake Bidwell and Miguel Ángel Brau only appeared in a combined total of 24 matches across all competitions last season and appear surplus to requirements. In addition, both lack top-flight experience, which may give Lampard reason to consider other options. Arrivals of Onyeka, Yirenkyi, Tchaouna and Hamer give Sky Blues extra bite and creativity in Midfield, but Striker options are limited Lampard has spent considerable money strengthening his midfield options to add both depth and quality. Frank Onyeka, who featured for the Sky Blues on loan last season, has returned on a permanent deal and has impressed in both the pre-season friendlies against Espanyol and Monaco. Caleb Yirenkyi, signed from Nordsjaelland,like Onyeka, is a powerful midfielder, impressing in the Monaco match with his defensive work and his creativity. His assist for Loum Tchaouma for City's second goal is evidence of that. He represented Ghana in the recent World Cup, making 4 appearances and scoring 1 goal, which shows he has the appetite to play Premier League football and give Lampard another option. Tchaouna has impressed in the pre-season, playing right wing, scoring 1 goal and has top-flight experience with Burnley. He will provide useful competition with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. Gustavo Hamer needs little introduction to the City faithful; having played previously for the Sky Blues, he will add further creativity and energy. His first appearance in yesterday's win was greeted with a rapturous welcome from the fervent Sky Blue Army. He's another player who has gained top-flight experience playing for Sheffield United, making 36 appearances. He will likely compete with Jack Rudoni for a starting spot but is versatile and can play out wide on the left, where he maximises his excellent crossing ability. The last issue is the Striker position. Lampard has limited options, with Haji Wright out with a quad injury, leaving Simms as the club's leading striker. However, according to The Athletic, the club are heavily linked to Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi. The 29-year-old brings added experience, having featured in 63 matches for the Reds and scoring 11 goals, but injuries have blighted his progress. Overall, the Sky Blues have built a solid spine to their squad, but know that more work needs to be done in the transfer market to give them the opportunity of a successful return to the Top-Flight.