The Sky Blues were paired with the Premier League's bottom team when the draw was made on Sunday afternoon, with the clash at Fratton Park set to take place over the weekend of January 2/3.

Coventry saw off the challenge of Blackburn in the fifth round last year before going out to eventual winners Chelsea, while they also got the better of Rovers in the third round in 2007/08.

"It's the third year running the club have had a top-flight club in the FA Cup, having played Blackburn in the previous two seasons and we beat them, so there's nothing to fear," Ranson told the Coventry Telegraph.

"I am hoping there will be a few more players back from injury. David Bell has just come back, Richard Wood is settling in quickly and we have got Sammy Clingan and a few others to come back from injury as well.

"Hopefully people will see we have turned the corner by the time the cup tie comes round and I am sure we will give them a good game."