Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman has confirmed to the BBC that former Leeds United and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson is training with the club. The Beverley-born goalie has been training with the club for a few weeks, and has been given a chance to potentially earn himself a contract.
Under Financial Fair Play rules, Nottingham Forest only have one spot left to fill within their 24-man squad. After Bojan Jokic and Gary Gardner joined on loan from Villarreal and Aston Villa respectively, Freedman is seriously considering utilising this space on a goalkeeper. The ex-Crystal Palace manager is also considering signing a striker to fill up his squad quota, but Robinson is to be given a chance to earn a contract.
The 36-year-old has been without a club following his release from Blackburn Rovers and his vast experience at domestic and international level would certainly be an asset to the squad. Freedman told the Nottingham Post that the 41-cap England keeper did initially retire but following a conversation with the player, he is willing to reconsider,
“I am looking for a keeper with experience, for no money, given the situation we are in.
Paul had retired around eight months ago, but I have just asked him to come in and train. He knows Steve Sutton from his time at Leeds and he persuaded him to come here and give it a go.
Freedman confirms to @sportchippers that goalkeeper Paul Robinson is training with club. #Nffc. pic.twitter.com/HbGrMgvdmM
— BBC Nottingham Sport (@BBCRNS) January 8, 2016
He has been here for a few weeks, to see if he wants to come out of retirement. If he gets himself in good condition, he is a wonderful keeper with great ability.
If he feels he wants to carry on, we might be able to give him that opportunity.”
Robinson, who has also played for Tottenham Hotspur over 100 times, has scored two professional goals in his career. Once for Leeds United in a cup tie against Swindon Town and also versus Watford in a Premier League match. He has won one major domestic honour throughout his career, that coming in the League Cup for Spurs in 2008.
