The Robins have spent the last decade in the second tier and now have promotion aspirations, with Jason Knight, Anis Mehmeti and Scott Twine among their most valuable assets in recent years.

There has been minimal change on the pitch at Ashton Gate, which has allowed Gerhard Struber to settle into life at the club quickly following the summer departure of Liam Manning to Norwich City.

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As a result, McKenna is expecting a tough game from them at Portman Road tonight (7:45pm).

“They’re a good side,” he said. “I think it’s a good game. I thought we played pretty well in the away game to be honest. It wasn’t easy there and it won’t be easy here.

“They have built over the last few years in the Championship. There’s the core of a team that’s been together for a while and some good players were added to that last summer.

Gerhard Struber’s side sit just outside the Championship play-off places (Image: PA)

“They’ve kept the system and the style of play pretty similar over the last couple of managers. So you can see clearly why they did well last year and why they’re doing well again.

“It’ll be a good challenge.”

Having finally reached the Championship play-offs last season, falling short to Sheffield United over two legs, there’s a clear ambition to continue growing and reach the Premier League, which McKenna believes they are capable of this season.

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“I think there’s no doubt they’re one of the teams that can finish at the top end of the table,” he argued.

“They finished there last year, they’ve added to that team and got another very good manager. So I think it’s obvious that they’re one of the teams who could be, want to be and will try and be right at the top end of the table. 

 “We’re expecting a tough game on Tuesday but there’s not many that you wouldn’t put in that category.”

This will be a busy week for the Blues, off the back of a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers at Portman Road and with a trip to resurgent Sheffield United on the horizon.

The Blues will travel to Sheffield United after tonight’s game against the Robins (Image: Ross Halls)

McKenna knows that squad depth will be needed with tonight’s game and Saturday’s clash at Bramall Lane. What his starting lineups will look like in those two games, however, remains to be seen.

“It’s a tough week because Blackburn, Bristol and Sheffield United are three physical teams that run a lot,” he admitted.

“It’s going to take a really good effort from the group. Whether we rotate from the start or whether we need big impacts from the bench, we’ll make those judgements over the next couple of days.

“But it’s certainly a week where different people are going to have to step up at different times.”