Robinson: Hard work reason for upturn in form

ENGLAND goalkeeper Paul Robinson says hard work on the training ground is the main reason for his recent return to the Tottenham team.

The 28-year-old was dropped by Spurs head coach Juande Ramos in January but came back on the eve of the Carling Cup final triumph and kept his place, earning a recall to the national squad for tonight’s friendly against France in Paris.

“As soon as I came out of the side, my target was to get back into the team as soon as possible,” he said.

“I’ve played all my career without featuring in a cup final, so I didn’t want to miss out.

“Contrary to all the reports about handing in a transfer request or whatever, the truth of the matter is I got my head down and worked as hard as I possibly could to get my place back in the team.”

Robinson’s position is part of the uncertainty Ramos brings with his unpredictable starting line-ups.

Even top scorer Robbie Keane has been substituted in recent games, while Jermaine Jenas was left out of the squad at the weekend against Portsmouth.

Michael Dawson played against Pompey but is behind Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King in the pecking order when the first-choice centre-backs are fit, putting other clubs on alert should he become available.

Ramos has also been linked with centre-back Dani Jarque and goalkeeper Carlos Kameni, both at Espanyol.

Kameni’s agent Bruno Satin said: “I have had contact with a number of clubs, but nothing is decided as yet.

“He has another year on his contract, and I understand Espanyol would like to offer him a new deal.”

Another possible target is Lyon striker Fred, a player Spurs looked at in the January transfer window. Fred’s arrival would fill the void left by the departure of Jermain Defoe to Portsmouth in January.