Coventry City will set a new crowd record for the Johnstones' Paint Trophy this week.

The Sky Blues face Crewe Alexandra over two legs for a place at Wembley and will be backed by more than 28,500 home fans at the Ricoh Arena as well as around 2,000 from Cheshire.

The previous best for a game outside of the final was set in 2010's southern area final when Southampton and MK Dons played in front of 29,901 at St Mary's.

It means that more Coventry supporters will watch the game than any match since City took 50,000 to Wembley to watch the 1987 Charity Shield against Everton.

Manager Mark Robins said: "We've sold near 30,000 tickets for the game which shows the level of support in the club and the potential that's there.

'We have to embrace that and make sure we perform every time we go out, and certainly we'll look forward to every single game and try to finish in the strongest possible position we can.

"And the way things have gone recently has been good because the lads are enjoying their football and playing good football.

"The supporters are enjoying it and they are feeding off each other. We have to make sure we take on that challenge and press on the players every game, and that's something that will be interesting for me to watch to how people cope. It will be a good marker.

"I am proud for the players, proud of the players and the support and the whole football club because the tribulations over the few years have been well documented and it's good that things are starting to turn around."