Robinson stakes a claim

Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson’s return to first team action could scarcely have gone any better.

The former Leeds and Spurs goalkeeper was out of action for over a year with a potentially life threatening injury and illness, but made his return to action last weekend in the heroic 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the FA Cup.

And he followed up a dependable showing in that fixture with a clean sheet in Rovers 1-0 win over Doncaster on Saturday.

Despite Rovers having the potential to be out of sight in the first half, they were left to hang on and guard a single goal cushion and it took two very smart stops in injury time from Robbo to preserve the win, capping off another solid display.

Robinson’s superior commanding and marshalling of his defence (compared to the likes of Simon Eastwood and Jake Kean) is likely to see him have a run in the first team set up and manager Gary Bowyer for one is pleased, especially with Robinson being something of an elder statesman in a young side.

‘I think Robbo’s experience helped us massively last week and he’s stayed in the team,’ Bowyer told Radio Rovers.

‘He’s has made an outstanding save and his experience at the end is invaluable to us.

‘It is a massive part of his game.

‘We have a young team but him, DJ and Dunny can be crucial to us.’