Frank Lampard targets another step forward as Coventry face Everton

The Sky Blues travel to Everton on Friday night after ending a run of two consecutive defeats with a 3-1 victory over bottom club Sunderland. The result lifted Coventry to 16th in the table and provided a timely boost ahead of another difficult test.

Coventry endured a difficult introduction to life back in the top flight, losing their opening four league matches. Those defeats included challenging fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as a heavy 5-0 home loss to Brighton.

However, Lampard's side have responded positively, winning three of their last five Premier League games to give themselves some breathing space in the battle to avoid relegation.

Despite the improvement, the Coventry manager believes his players must continue raising their standards if they are to remain competitive throughout a demanding season.

"We clearly had a tough start to the season, I think, in terms of fixtures, specific ones, but also not winning games," Lampard said.

"And all of a sudden, now we have won three of our last five, so in that way, we are relatively happy, but we want more. We have to keep working because there is a long, long way to go in the season, but off the back of last week, it was a nice positive week for us."

Coventry will assess defender Bobby Thomas, who has a calf problem, and midfielder Frank Onyeka, who is struggling with a groin injury. Both players missed the Sunderland victory and face late fitness tests ahead of the trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.