Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson could be one of a few players to benefit from England’s controversial friendly with Germany on Wednesday.

The former England number one has not played for England ever since his horror show a year ago as England slumped to defeat against Russia, but on Sunday against the football odds he was given a glimmer of hope as he was recalled into the squad.

Manchester City keeper Joe Hart sustained an ankle injury in the draw at Hull and Fabio Capello has called upon Robinson as his replacement.

It’s bad news for Hart but terrific news for former Spurs keeper Robinson, who joins David James and Scott Carson in the 23-man party for the Berlin encounter.

While both James and Carson will be viewed as more obvious candidates to start, Robinson’s inclusion above the competing claims of Ben Foster and Robert Green should at least provide the 29-year-old with a confidence boost.

It’s the piece of luck that the former Leeds man was hoping for after a forgettable last 12 months.

His club manager Paul Ince believes Robinson is the best English keeper in the country and deserves another chance to add to his 41 senior caps after a desperate time at his former club Tottenham.

Robinson revived his club career with his £3.5million summer move to Blackburn from Tottenham and having regained some of his lost confidence he has performed well so far for Rovers.

The Yorkshire-born stopper is undoubtedly a confidence player and he will secretly be kicking himself that he was denied the chance to work with Harry ‘Houdini’ Redknapp due to his White Hart Lane departure.

Current Tottenham number one Heurelho Gomes is in the spotlight at the moment after a string of mistakes and Robinson must be thinking: “What if ?”

Still his self-belief will have been buoyed by his call-up from Capello and if he gets a chance in Berlin don’t be surprised if he grabs his opportunity with both hands.

By Phil Tomlinson

» Leave a comment